“The protesters said we should release all the arrested protesters, we’ve released them; they said we should set up a trust fund to pay compensation to the families of the ones that have died, I have set up my own trust fund. Today, I have announced it and we hope the Federal Government will do the same”, the above was Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu’s statement when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari last week on the plight of #EndSARS protesters.
Rather than give a nod or positive reaction towards the demands, Mr Buhari burst into laughter. A careful look at the video coverage of the event shows that Mr Sanwo-olu was shocked at the reaction of the president. He paused briefly before he continued speaking.
The protest
Activities in major cities across Nigerian states have been paralysed following the demands by youth that the government should disband a police unit known as Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The latest outburst happened as a result of the shooting of a youth in Delta State by Police officers. The police later reacted, saying the victim did not die. Whether dead or alive, this punched the spirit of Nigerians including celebrities to pressurise authorities with the long launched #EndSARS hashtag.
Following the sad development, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, banned the anti-robbery squad from operating on all Nigerian roads but citizens were not satisfied.
They demanded that the President address them on the matter but Mr Buhari was not forthcoming. Rather than speaking to Nigerians on the kerfuffle, the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo took the responsibility of appealing to the people.
Nigerian business owners also held a meeting with some ‘leaders’ of the protests but they insisted that their five point agenda must be met by the government. Amidst this, the only response from Mr Buhari was a two paragraph tweet on October 10.
He simply said that he told Police boss, Mr Adamu to “conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians” about police brutality.
“The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, and ensure erring personnel are brought to justice. I appeal for patience and calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known”, a paragraph of the president’s tweet read.
In response to Mr Buhari’s instructions, Mr Adamu launched a Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) to replace SARS. This was also rejected immediately by angry Nigerians.
Citizens closed their eyes against the clause that all disbanded SARS operatives will go on medical and psychological examination before being absorbed into the new initiative, hence, protests have continued and over 12 deaths have been recorded already.
Buhari’s laughter and it’s implications
For analysts, Mr Buhari was seen as ‘mocking’ those who have died of police brutality instead of mourning them. They believe that the president’s laughter before the camera was inappropriate and it only expressed that he has no concern about the plights of the people.
One of those who criticised the President’s actions is Aisha Yesufu, the co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls campaign. She expressed her displeasure vehemently on a Channels Television programme, “Hard Copy”, on Saturday.
“Governor Sanwo-olu visited the president to explain the plight of Nigerians to him but he laughed it off. It shows the unseriousness of the president. Protesters are still being attacked under the supervision of police. I was attacked by a soldier. Those calling for zoom meetings should rather speak with the president”, she said while insisting that youths are not ready to leave the streets.
Also, Anita Natacha Akide, former BBNaija housemate expressed disgust at the reaction of the president, she said; “We hear promises but we need to see actions taken”.
Ademola Owolabi, a lawyer and human rights activist based in Lagos told our correspondent that the president’s laughter has implications on the decision of youths about the protest.
“It is only in a banana republic that you have a sitting president who after failing to address his citizens protesting for nearly three weeks still mock the dead. A governor left his state to meet the president in Aso Rock and all he could do was to laugh before the camera”.
“The protest as of today is no longer against police brutality alone. We must ensure that president Muhammadu Buhari apologizes for his reckless reactions to protesters. Nigerians want a leader that can be held accountable. If the youth capitalise on Buhari’s actions and inactions so far, I can tell you that the protest is not ending anytime soon”.
Another lawyer, Timothy Arigbamumi disclosed his willingness to sue President Muhammadu Buhari for not protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians despite taking an oath to do so.
“The president after emergence swore an oath that the lives and properties of citizens of Nigerians will be his priority but that is not the case. Under him, the defense minister threatened the protesters, under his regime, soldiers launched an attack on peaceful citizens on peaceful disobedience and he has not said anything. I will be filing a suit against the president. This madness must stop”, the young lawyer said.
When contacted for comments on any justification for Mr Buhari’s laughter and refusal to address Nigerians on national television, none of the President’s spokespersons answered.
The Special Adviser of Media, Femi Adesina did not respond to calls and text messages and same was encountered with Garba Shehu, the president’s Senior Special assistant on Media.
