By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has insisted that curfew imposed on the state in the wake of the #EndSARS protest would not lapse until Monday morning.
Fayemi, in a state broadcast, Friday afternoon, explained that the extension was necessary to monitor developments in the state during the weekend, and douse any possible tension.
He disclosed that in the wake of the protest, he met with President Mohammadu Buhari, as Chairman, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, (NGF) and impressed on him the need to address the nation.
The presidential address came up Thursday evening after prominent Nigerians had insisted that the President must address the nation.
Harsh criticisms has, however, trailed the speech as people felt it fell short of expectations of Nigerians.
“Although, violence relating to the protest in Ekiti has been limited due to the proactive steps taken by government, the experience in other parts of the south west, especially Lagos has been horrendous and deplorable.
“On Monday, 19th October, 2020, I met with the President in my capacity as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to deliver a clear message from my colleagues on the need for a broadcast and careful handling of the protest which was degenerating in many States..
“Now that the President has spoken acknowledging the demands and explaining what government is doing about them. I want to thank the leadership of the protest movement in Ekiti for calling off the protest. The import of the protest has been largely achieved.
“The Federal Government has banned the SARS department in response to the five demands made by the EndSARS movement and those held in SARS detention centres have been released. In Ekiti, as in many States of the Federation, a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to look into the cases of abuses, extra-judicial acts and general misconduct which led to the protest, has been set up.
“A restitution fund to compensate for the losses of the victims of such abuses is also established while other demands like increase in salaries of police officers is being attended to.
“I urge our youths who want nothing but a nation that serves and benefit all to show restraint in the way they pursue their demands. I fully understand and endorse the far-reaching message that the EndSARS protest articulated.
“It is generally a protest not just against brutality by police officers, but a wakeup call to all of us in positions of responsibility and the entire citizenry to have a new direction in the manner we handle the governance of the nation.
“It is a collective reminder to us that the urgency to act more decisively on how to improve the lot of our people is now. We must not let this seed to be emasculated in the crevice of violence that has attended the protest. This message has been well made.
“It is time for meaningful engagement. To this end, I am announcing the expansion of the mandate of our Youth Development Council with a view to deepening the State’s engagement with our youths and ensuring speedier implementation of the Ekiti Youth Agenda in partnership with all critical stakeholders in the youth constituency.
“As a result of those who unleashed mayhem and brigandage on private and public property, the state government was compelled to impose a 24 hour curfew on the State. While calm has been restored in most parts of the State, we have decided to watch development over the weekend before deciding on next steps.
“It is for this reason that I have extended the 24 hour curfew on the State until 0600hrs on Monday, 26th October 2020. This painful action was taken in the best interest of ourselves to ensure that the crisis does not escalate since criminals enjoy mimicking violent occurrences in other places.
“It is my hope that we will not have cause to extend the curfew any further. I want to urge all our traditional institutions, religious bodies, politicians and community leaders to use this weekend to engage the youth in their respective communities to give peace a chance.
“To this end, the curfew will allow an exception for Friday Jumat and Saturday and Sunday worship in churches.
In the meantime, security agencies have been instructed to exercise judicious restraint in response to the tense situation. The intention of Government is to ensure peace, under no condition should indiscretional responses be allowed to escalate the situation.
“I therefore appeal for the cooperation of our people and the security personnel who are doing a tremendous job to ensure that we live in peace.”
