FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVES AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS, AS PROTESTS SLIDE INTO VIOLENCE
The Federal Government of Nigeria has come out to say it will do everything possible to restrict the #EndSARS protesters from continuing their demonstrations nationwide.
This comes hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday apologised to protesting young people in the country for not attending to the cause of their grievances on time.
It should be noted that Nigerians in many cities across and beyond the country are protesting years of violation of their rights by the Nigerian Government and failed promises of reform of various institutions.
But in what appeared to be a contradiction to the Vice President’s apology, Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, Lai Muhammed less than 24 hours (later on Saturday evening), said the Nigerian Government will take firm steps against the protesters.
According to him: “Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.
“But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.
“There is nowhere in the world where a government will fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
“We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians.
“We have nothing against peaceful protest but there are civilised ways of doing so.
“This is by going to a venue where you are not going to disturb other Nigerians because where your own right stops, other persons’ rights begin.”