#End SARS:Pressure Mounts on Buhari to Speak to Nigerians

By Edward Etuka

The Global Center for Media and Human Empowerment(GCMHE) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over the #EndSARS protests that have engulfed the country.

The Group said the nation presently is “at a crossroads .”

The #EndSARS protests, which began nearly two weeks ago, are calling for an end to police brutality in the country.

At least 12 people have been killed across the country and police authorities last week warned against the use of force on protesters.

Many states – Lagos .Edo,Osun.Ekiti.Abia,Imo,Plateau.Ondo and Others have to Imposed curfew in their respective  states, while the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the deployment of anti-riot police officers across the 36 states and the FCT.

Mr Buhari is yet to address the nation over the happenings in the country as at press time.

The GCMHE, in a statement on Tuesday, said it was “shocked by the continued silence” of the president.

The statement was signed by the Ag.Director-General,Charles Ejoh of the Group.

 “The disbanded SARS was legendary in its abuse of human rights,” the Group said.

Also, Action Aid Nigeria called on President Buhari to address the nation in a national broadcast, describing him as a father, leader, and the president of Nigeria and urging him to give clear-cut responses to the demands of the protesters before it is too late.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the country director, Ene Obi.

The statement said Mr Buhari is saddled with the mandate of the people to manage the affairs of the country.

“The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, should see this as an opportunity to write his name in the sands of time by starting the process of transforming this country especially by responding to the demands of citizens.”

“The protest has moved from being a social media campaign to a peaceful protest by Nigerians across the globe in the last 13 days, with clear demands on the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and extra-judicial killings.”

AAN said it has observed that the peaceful protest is gaining more momentum across the country, with young people airing their grievances on rights violations and the need for an overhaul of the country’s security and governance architecture.

However, it said the latest twist and turns in the ongoing protest calls for concern and swift action before the situation degenerates into full swing anarchy.

ActionAid Nigeria called on security agencies to keep securing the streets to get unscrupulous elements with illegitimate interests off the peaceful protests, while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters.

“We applaud the resolve of Nigerian youths leading the revival across the country and the resolve to hold the government to account.”

“However, it is pertinent that decorum is maintained while resisting any calculated attempts by unknown elements to disrupt, the just cause for total reformation of our country, Nigeria.”