To forestall a more grievous #ENDSARS protest in the country, Obong Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom governor, has raised a red flag “Let us not wait for people to come out on the streets to press their demand for change. God forbid, if that should happen, there would be no holding back.”
The call by the elder statesman came in the wake of people and governments counting losses over #ENDSAR protest that engulfed the country weeks ago.
Attah alerted “This would spell the beginning of an end. This is not a threat or blackmail but a prediction borne out of sound reasoning and the lessons of history. In every part of this country today, the urgent and compelling need for such a change has been acknowledged and endorsed. My plea, my passionate plea to the government is to please do something now before it is too late.”
The former governor, who addressed journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital last Friday, expressed dismay that the Panel report of a presidential panel on SARS reforms set up in 2018 by the Federal Government which recommended the sacking of 37 police officers, and the prosecution of 24 others were not implemented.
“The panel further tasked the Inspector General of Police (1GP) to unravel the identity of 22 other officers involved in the violation of human rights of innocent citizens. To the best of my knowledge no effect has been given to the panel’s report,’’ he said.
“During the COVID-19 lockdown, the atrocities increased; voices of protests got strident, but the authorities turned a deaf ear and the impunities multiplied.” He called on the federal government to adopt an institutionalised method to constructively engage the youth.
Attah advised the youths to eschew bitterness and to show further commitment to the peace process by halting all further protests so they will not be accused of participating in the destruction of their own future.
According to him, “There is no doubt that their primary purpose of EndSARS has been realised though at a heavy price. The healing process must now begin.”
“Today, we apologise to the youths and so we should; but is that sufficient succour? They need assurances that the future will be better but can it if we continue as we are?” he noted.
