Raymond Ozoji, Awka
The Anambra State House of Assembly at its plenary yesterday commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives to the nationwide protest against police brutality in the country.
The legislature observed a minute silence and prayed for the repose of the souls of fallen ENDSARS protesters whose lives paid the supreme sacrifice for government to heed the call by Nigerian youths to respect the fundamental rights and privileges of the people as well as enthrone social security system and welfare schemes in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry.
Speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Victor Okafor, who presided over the plenary, stated that it was obvious that the youths had made their points clear in the protest and that government was not oblivious of their numerous demands for better life henceforth.
Okafor noted that the wanton destruction of government infrastructures and other private properties were not the best approach to finding lasting solutions to their agitations but to engage government in a more constructive dialogue to address their pressing needs.
The Speaker said, “There have been great unrest in the country and in Anambra state but the timely intervention of His Excellency the Governor has helped to douse the situation.
“As a youth-driven 7th assembly, we want to lend our voices in solidarity with the youths of Anambra state and Nigerian youths in general to this ENDSARS protest.
“Some of us, if not all of us have relations who have suffered police brutality. This protest is aimed at restructuring the police in our country. It is quite unfortunate that the protest degenerated into something else which we know is not the intention of Nigerian youths or Anambra youths.
“What we advise our youths is to embrace peace because destroying lives and properties is not the best thing to do. There is nothing violence is going to achieve for us. We therefore beg our youths to please retreat and allow government look into their matter with amicable resolutions.
“Here in Anambra, we commend His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano for granting the request of the Concerned Anambra Youths to sack CSP James Nwafor, former commander of defunct SARS Awkuzu, as well as personally inspecting all SARS facilities in Anambra state and releasing those that are being detained unlawfully including the setting up of commission of inquiry which comprised youths.
“We also commend members of the state assembly who have been clamouring and campaigning for peace in their various constituencies to make sure there is order in the state.
“We are totally in support of the agitations for police reforms in the country. We thank the youths of Anambra state and Nigerian youths for standing up for their rights,” Okafor stated.