By Audrey Lotechukwu
WED, 21 OCT, 2020-theGBJournal- Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain the military and other security agencies from ‘’using brute force’’ as a way to ending the ongoing nationwide protest by youths.
Obasanjo’s appeal is contained in a letter he sent today to the President, who is also the Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, and ‘’ a parent of youth like the ones who have in the last week come out in peaceful protest against police brutality and for improvement in their lives and their living conditions.’’
He said he sends the letter ‘’with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern about ongoing violence, chaos, and unrest in many parts of the country.’’
According to Obasanjo, also a former army general, ‘’the shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in suppressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolutions.’’
He said it is clear that Mr President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to use force.
‘’It is worse that there is denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. The great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control.’’
”We are at a critical moment in this crisis and Mr President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such.’’
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