Vice president of the federation, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, has convened an emergency National Executive Council meeting with some executives over the downward slope of the #EndSARS protests.
They include Governors of the 36 states, the FCT Minister, Central Bank Governor, Inspector General of Police, representatives from the Military, the Directorate of State Security, and the National Human Rights Commission.
The NEC meeting lasted for more than four hours as deliberations were made to bring peace to the various states where the youths have been on rampage.
A committee was established as the group came to some resolutions.
Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; Governor of Niger State, Bello; Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu; Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa are part of the committee which will be chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo.
The Vice President’s Spokesman, Laolu Akande, provided details of the meeting in a statement explaining that “the Committee which is to commence work immediately will develop a comprehensive framework under the auspices of the Council that would coordinate joint actions and steps to be taken by both the Federal and State Governments to examine the fundamental issues underlying the protests and arrive at effective solutions, including how to enhance Nigeria’s national security.”
There was talk on how to assign some power to state governors as the chief security officers of their states.
During the meeting, however, it was observed that the security operatives lacked morale and all members agreed to commend security operatives for their handling of an impromptu degeneration of the End SARS protests.
“NEC enjoined the CACOVID leadership to come out with an independent statement on the status of the distribution of palliatives donated to states, which should clearly explain the circumstances behind the delay in the distribution of food items domiciled in warehouses across the country.
“Council reviewed the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other secessionist groups, stressing that these subterranean and violent tendencies must be quickly addressed given that they have continually hijacked demonstrations and caused mayhem and lawlessness across parts of the country.
“Council established that economic issues underlie what the country has gone through in the last few weeks.
“Good governance and improved service delivery remain the fundamental panacea to social tensions in the country and social welfare must be given greater priority in the first instance.
“Council decried the irresponsible use of social media in fueling misinformation and increasing social tensions.
“The council agreed to embark on an objective framing of a new security and stability architecture for the country supported by the development of a framework of engagement with the youth, civil society and religious leaders.
“A framework for national unity; a framework to engage with security agencies that will devolve more control to state governors who are the chief security officers of their states; a framework for federal support to provide compensation for those who have incurred losses in the last few weeks and a framework for social security to deal with the problem of unemployment and poverty in the country.”
