Reps Minority Caucus Slams Buhari Over EndSARS Speech

Minority parties in House of Representatives have slammed President Muhamadu Buhari over the watery speech he delivered concerning the ongoing killings and protest to end police brutality in the country, saying the remarks did not address the killings of armless youths

The Minority Caucus in a statement issued by their leader, Honorable Ndudi Elumelu, stated that having reviewed the Thursday speech by President Muhammadu Buhari on the protest across the country, it found it not only watery but also did  not meet the expectation of most Nigerians.

They expressed dismay  that the president’s speech declined to address the real issues pertaining to unprovoked  killings by the Army and security operatives of youths in the Lekki area of Lagos

‘As representatives of the people, our caucus is particularly surprised that Mr. President’s speech did not find a space to  address the killing of innocent and unarmed Nigerian youths at the Lekki Toll gate; the very development that sparked off violent restiveness across the nation and consequent widespread demand for a presidential address.

The group said it expected the address to come with some empathy for victims of the killings and other acts of brutality by unscrupulous security operatives, particularly at this time when a soothing words from the President would have gone a long way to calm frayed nerves.

“Indeed, the expectation across Nigeria was for Mr. President to reassure Nigerians, especially the youths by forcefully condemning the killing and brutalization of our young ones, announcing an accelerated independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome acts and setting a clear pathway for the much-needed overhaul of our security system.

They explained however that the  much desired national healing, peace, unity and stability of the nation anchor on such show of concern and commitment by leaders and as such as lawmakers, the caucus urges President Buhari, as the father of the nation, to take further steps to realign with the expectations of the people and reassure the nation by immediately setting up an independent inquiry into these killings with a view to prosecuting and bringing the perpetrators to book.

This is in addition to an inquiry into videos and reports that unscrupulous security operatives mobilized thugs to attack peaceful protesters and unleash violence on innocent Nigerians, they urged, pointing that those behind such shameful act that escalated sectional hostilities and pitched citizens against one another should be brought to book.

They further called on the President  to urgently rejig the nation’s security architecture by replacing his service chiefs with more competent and professional hands to assist in effectively handling the security challenges confronting the nation.

“Mr. President is further urged to take urgent steps to accelerate action on his economic reforms so as to provide ample opportunities for our youths to gainfully participate in our productive sectors and ameliorate the hardship, hunger and frustration in the land.

“The Minority caucus notes that history beckons and that the unity, stability, peaceful co-existence and general wellbeing of citizens in our country should be paramount at this point in our national life.

“Our caucus again commiserates with the families of the victims of this unfortunate development, while suing for calm across the country and urging for a collective action that will engender a united and peaceful Nigeria for the good of all.