Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal Laminisa 1 has called on government at all levels to be calm in the face of ongoing unrest across the country, stating that any attempt to use force on the youth will worsen the situation.
Oba Lawal made this call in a statement from the Timi palace on Wednesday.
The monarch said the protest is a message that all leaders must listen to the yearnings of the people. He said the conduct of the protesters especially at the initial stage of the protest has shown that the youths are out for no other thing but a Nigeria of their dreams, which according to him shows the consciousness of the youth and it’s commendable.
Oba Lawal said, “I want to rarely address the public and especially the congregation of youths who have stood themselves out in the important crusade of calling the attention of the Governments across Nigeria to the dangerous implications of police brutality over the time which has now culminated to the ongoing protesting and very loudest call for the end to SARs operations in Nigeria as well as substantial police reformation. I as a Parent and Father in Yoruba land feel deeply concerned at the latest turn of events with the engagement of Army of occupation everywhere in Nigeria. I hold dearly that the best form of leadership is participatory democracy where dialogues and engagements as well as diverse expression are constitutionally guaranteed rights of the Citizens. Any attempt to frustrate the youths for making lawful demands may spell unfortunate situation that may be very difficult to handle on the hand of the constituted authorities. This is therefore my admonition for calm on the part of the Government so that we can have the avenue of interface with the genuine protesters and address their legitimate plights once and for all.
The protest in its reverberation has echoed a statement and underscores the fact that as Leaders, we must listen to the yearnings of our subject across all categories of leadership especially with the Government. The long standings days and nights of our youths in their peaceful mode especially during the initial commencement of the protest is noteworthy. Seeing protesters handing welfare handouts such as foods and drinks to the police themselves during their protest gave an impression that our young people are not crazy but are just ambitious to see the Nigeria of their dream. I commend the early solidarity between the protesters and the police and I want to make an appeal that we must build on that. However, it is highly disturbing to see that miscreants have gained the access and are now almost turning the rather noble pursuit to a devastation.”
The Timi also condemned the Federal Government for unleashing force on peaceful protesters, stating that it has worsened the situation. He there by commiserated with families of those who have lost their lives and properties during the struggle.
“I was alarmed to see that Leaders in Government have become soft targets of attempted murder by these hijackers. I sympathise with the affected Government Leaders and thank God that evil was averted. However there can not be any justification for the torrents of gun barrels against harmless and genuine protesters nation wide.
I commiserate with the families of those whose lives have been cut short in the avoidable milieu. It is sadly unfortunate that they had to pay the supreme price in the course of wanting to change the ills in our society. We pray for the repose of their souls and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear the loses.”
The monarch also called on the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu to disclose “that the SARs has been disbanded and finally ended. However we must not stop on our oars. For all the cases of particular police brutality since the End SARS saga, an investigation is very necessary with a view to bringing culprits to book. Adequate compensation for the casualties suffered is a strong requirement for the resolution of the anger in the land too. May God strengthen the police and indeed our Government to secure Nigeria, the Citizens and properties in general.”
