ASUU Strike: Agbese writes PMB, volunteers to lead negotiation

Renowned human rights activist and writer, Philip Agbese, has written President Muhammadu Buhari, on the lingering strike embarked on by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Recall that university lecturers have been on strike for over eight months in protest against the Federal Government’s preferred Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and wants UTAs instead.
Agbese, however, regretted that Nigerian students are losing an entire academic session, following the lingering strike by the university lecturers.

In an open letter entitled “ASUU and the need for our students to be back to campus,” Agbese pleaded with the Buhari Government to change its method of negotiation with ASUU by adopting a new approach and style to dismantle this imbroglio.
According to him, the government should broaden the scope of negotiations with ASUU, instead of its exclusive restriction to government negotiators.
He vowed to voluntarily lead negotiation with the striking union in view to finding a lasting panacea to the protracted impasse.
The letter reads below;

Your Excellency, Sir,
An Open Letter: ASUU and the need for our students to be back to campus.

Your Excellency Sir, warm greetings to you. I am obliged by these special circumstances to scribble this open letter to you on the prolonged industrial dispute between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) led by your indefatigable personality and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). It is my ultimate prayer, this letter should meet you in the right frame of mind and at a time, its contents would assimilate to persuade your appropriate response.

Mr. President, I have unshakable faith in Nigeria, under your leadership. I am persuaded to pen this letter to you in order to share my little suggestions on the lingering feud between the Federal Government and ASUU over the nearly nine months strike for two reasons. First, it is for the sake of the prolonged break in the academic engagements of Nigerian students and the younger generation of Nigerians which you and posterity hold very dear, as father of our beloved country.

Your Excellency, secondly, I fear, the disheartening consequences of Nigerian students losing an entire academic session, if the ASUU strike is allowed to persist. Definitely, I commend the understanding and commitment of your administration to end the feud between ASUU and Government. The attempts at immediate resolution of some of the knotty issues raised by ASUU are commendable and appreciated. My excitement over your efforts is even more justified, if measured against the insensitivity of the previous Government which signed the agreement, but disappointingly reneged from serious commitment to its implementation over the years.

On the part of ASUU, I do not consider them as villains, or sabs of the education system in Nigeria; but academics and intellectuals only concerned with some structural improvements and other critical issues affecting the university system in Nigeria. The stretchy bickering by ASUU and its refusal to blink in spite of the genuine attempts by Government to resolve the issues is touchy to both parents and every Nigerian of good conscience.

Both from the bottom of my heart and millions of other Nigerians, we can vouch for your genuine mindset fixation with resolving all the issues raised by ASUU simultaneously. But subsisting economic constraints and challenges have frustrated your plans, as expected by the union. However, it is unambiguous to us, this Government of Nigeria as symbolized by your patriotic and focused leadership is dedicated to the development and prosperity of all categories of Nigerian youths.

Under your leadership, Government has variously articulated its fiscal challenges, like in this instant case, but, however, the obduracy of ASUU negotiators is also understandable. But I believe the current muscle flexing between ASUU and Government is based on the deceptive postures of the preceding administration tackling the issues of ASUU, which your administration has shown a laudably, remarkable difference.
Mr. President, I therefore, wish to suggest and plead that your Government change its method of negotiation with ASUU by adopting a new approach and style to dismantle this imbroglio. It is visible, the suspicious perception of deceit in current government negotiators by representatives of ASUU is motivated by previously violated official decisions on the ASUU agreement with Government before your administration birthed.

Your Excellency, Sir, it is my humble opinion that your Government should broaden the scope of negotiations with ASUU, instead of its exclusive restriction to Government negotiators. It is what ASUU reasons as the same conspiratorial cabal, ingenuous in dribbling them over the years.
Sir, let your Government take the bold decision by engaging other stakeholders outside the prism of government as part of the negotiators/mediators to resolve the ASUU crisis as quickly as possible. I am volunteering myself as a mediator under the banner of a human rights activist and respected member of the Nigerian populace. And there are a dozen of such organizations and individuals known to Government for this sensitive task. I would appreciate, if Mr. President does the needful to bring Nigerian students back to campuses.
Our dear respected Leader, we consider you a wholly made in Nigeria President that believes in our youths and the future of our students. I repeat again that Mr. President, you mean well for Nigeria and will continue to do so for the immediate development and future prosperity of the country. Let’s put all hands-on -deck to get the strike to an end immediately, Sir.

Igbo group welcomes Exercise Crocodile Smile VI

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has welcomed the launch of the Nigerian Army’s Exercise Crocodile Smile VI, describing it as the best thing to happen to the South-East. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the INM expressed confidence that the operation would be a massive success just like others previously held in the zone due to the professionalism and dedication of the troops. 

The Nigerian Army had, on Tuesday, announced its plans for an inter-agency training workshop as part of its preparations for the launch of ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile VI’.

In reaction, Mazi Ifeanyi Igwe, INM’s National President, said the operation is a testament of the leadership acumen of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who according to him has transformed the army into a professional force. 

Mazi Igwe said the operation would further bring about peace and security in the South East region, following in on the gains of the Operation Python Dance which addressed kidnappings, armed robbery and ritual killings. 

While giving its blessing to the exercise, the INM called on other Igbo sons and daughters to do likewise, noting that the army means well. 

The group, however, warned individuals and groups engaged in nefarious acts in the region to desist from such in their best interest.  

Read the full statement below:

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement is lending its voice to the various measures deployed towards tackling insecurity in Nigeria and worthy of mention is the invaluable role of the Nigerian Army in Internal Security Operations across the country. 

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the Nigerian Army has risen to the occasion in times too numerous to mention in addressing the various security challenges in the country.  Consequently, the recent launch of Operation Crocodile Smile VI is a testament of the leadership acumen of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement views the launch of Operation Crocodile Smile VI as one of the best things to happen to South-East Nigeria as it is intended to ensure that all threats to peace in the region are adequately contained. 

It is thus our considered opinion that Operation Crocodile Smile VI would indeed be a huge success given the past operations of the Nigerian Army in the South East region that have been highly successful due to the professionalism and dedication of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

We salute the dexterity of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt, Gen. Tukur Buratai who has over the years transformed the Nigerian Army into a professional force as evident in the various successes recorded in the war against terrorism and other acts of criminalities in the country. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement wishes to use this medium to solicit support from well-meaning Nigerians for the operations of the Nigerian Army, which has by and large been extraordinary and brought about the much-needed peace and tranquillity in the country.

The launch of Operation Crocodile Smile VI is indeed a welcome development, and the Igbos in Nigeria Movement gives its blessings to it in all ramifications.  We also pledge our unflinching support for the operations of the Nigerian Army, which has been very committed to ridding South-East Nigeria of acts of militancy and criminalities in times past.

We also to state that previous operations of the Nigerian Army such as Operation Python Dance indeed helped to address the challenge of kidnappings, armed robbery and ritual killings that were rampant in South-East Nigeria at the time. Previous editions also restored sanity to most states in South-East Nigeria, where countless militant and criminal gangs that made life unbearable for the people met their waterloo. 

We also wish to state that Igbos sons and daughters now frequent home during the yuletide season without fear of kidnappings or armed robbery due to the presence of troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Python Dance and other operations launched in the region. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement wishes to inform members of the general public that indeed the coming of Operation Crocodile Smile VI would further bring about peace and security in the South East region. 

We are consequently calling on all well-meaning sons and daughters of Igbo extraction to support the newly launched Operation Crocodile Smile VI as the security of lives and properties in South East region should dominate our discussions regularly.  

We are also using this medium to sound a note of warning to individuals and groups that are engaged in nefarious acts in the South East region to desist from such nefarious enterprises in their best interest.  

The peace and tranquillity of the South East region are indeed paramount, hence our gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for his extraordinary commitment towards ensuring that the South East region in Nigeria is safe and secured all year round.

We do not doubt that Operation Crocodile Smile VI would record the same success as previous operations in the South East region. 

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement is also convinced that at the end of Operation Crocodile Smile VI, all traces of militancy and criminal activities would be reduced to the barest minimum in the South East region. 

It is thus on this premise that the Igbos in Nigeria movement commends the leadership of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff whose leadership strides has impacted positively in the operations of the Nigerian Army, which has also been evidenced in the success of the various internal security operations in South-East Nigeria and other parts of the country.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement as a partner in progress pledges its unalloyed support to the Nigerian Army in that task of addressing the various security challenges in South-East Nigeria and other parts of the country.

We also encourage other well-meaning associations to do the same in the overarching objective of ensuring that crime and criminalities are reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.

We thank you for your time and attention, and we desire that the Nigerian Army would receive as much cooperation from the people of South East as it commences Operation Crocodile VI.

Defection: Beware of Umahi’s deception, Ebonyi indigenes warn APC leaders

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has warned the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to be wary of its new catch, Governor Dave Umahi, describing the new APC entrant as a “disastrous baggage of controversies, deceits and distractions.”

The association also commended some state lawmakers and cabinet members who refused to join the governor on his defection to the APC.

Reaction to the confirmation by the governor that he was leaving his party (PDP) to the APC, the Ebonyi indegenes advised the ruling party “to tread cautiously with a man of insatiable greed, selfishness and lust for political power.”

In a statement signed Wednesday and made available to newsmen in Abuja by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, said Umahi who has always boasted in videos awash in the Social media that he is 100% PDP and 100% APC, should not be trusted by anybody.

“This is a very defining moment and a period of great test of integrity for some politicians in our dear state and exhibition of downright foolishness laced with cowardice on the part of those who are still clutching to Umahi’s straws despite his starvation rate of pay.

“We commend the over eight members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly who chose not to abandon their people and the political platforms that brought them to power despite threats, pressures and even suspensions from Umahi hirelings in the EBHA.

“We also wish to commend the likes of the two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, Mrs. Rebecca Ogbuewu and other appointees who resigned their positions as members of the State Executive Council. Our thumbs up also go to some of the elders and foundation members of the PDP for maintaining their stand that they shall remain dyed-in-the-wool members of the PDP which has given so many dividends to our dear State in the past two decades.

On the other hand, knocks must be given to the elders and stakeholders of both parties who for a porridge of yam is jumping into the fray with Umahi even when they had known him for all the evil he has represented in our dear state.

“Lastly, the APC national leadership should be aware that they are purchasing for themselves a disastrous baggage of controversies, deceits and distractions and must therefore be advised to tread cautiously with a man of insatiable greed, selfishness and lust for political power who because he is often desperate can surrender or subjugate any interest to arm-twist others.”

Reacting to the alleged loyalty pledged by Umahi’s Chief Austin Umahi, to the opposition party, the association cautioned the PDP leaders if it would make any serious impact in the 2023 elections.

“AESID, like the rest of Ebonyians and the general public were astounded by the specious hypocrisy of ‘pledging loyalty’ to the PDP by the said Austin Umahi whose images and videos have littered the social media space standing with Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and posturing that he is not going to the APC with his younger brother, David Umahi.

“Austin, like his other brother, Maxwell Umahi who is the Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi state is only acting a specially-rehearsed script written, memorized and internalized by the Umahis and for all the Umahis ahead of the Governor’s formal defection to the ruling APC or is he not the same Austin Umahi who has reportedly been calling and threatening some of the state lawmakers over their decision to remain in the PDP? Who are the Umahi’s deceiving? Do they consider themselves the only wise men from the East?”

While describing governor Umahi as a betrayal, the statement said: “The background to the character personae called Umahi is such that his life has become a domesticated case of a study in downright betrayal beginning from his days in the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu campaign directorate in 1999 during where he was accused of diverting funds meant for executing the latter’s election to eventually betraying his brother to support Dr. Sam Egwu who later emerged the first civilian Governor of Ebonyi State.”

General Buratai and his devotion to fatherland

By Abubakar Gana

The greatest gist in Nigeria today among the country’s senior political harbingers, former leaders, and political elites is the sustained mockery of Nigeria’s Service Chiefs. Though, the sitting Military Chiefs have posted very relieving results in the last five years, fighting the conspiratorial or instigated insurgencies and insurrections hovering in some parts of Nigeria, but to some partisan senses, neither President Muhammadu Buhari nor the Nigerian Military deserve such prestigious national honour.

Amazingly, those who complain loudest all the times are either some of the current or former leaders of Nigeria who laid the foundation of the country’s insecurities and the degeneration. Possibly, God snatched their wisdom whilst in office.

And therefore, today, these ideas from an odious political elite have come back to them so bitingly. But it does not prevent clairvoyant Nigerians from sighting the devious intentions. They think of their odious selves as better leaders than President Buhari and so, Mr. President must accept their advice on how to administer Nigeria, especially on security.

That Nigeria’s COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai and his colleagues’ in Nigeria’s Military hierarchy of Service Chiefs are intentionally uncelebrated by some Nigerians is because the hate is deep and malevolent! No one is forcing the few discontented Nigerians to notice the difference Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations under the commanding height of the present Service Chiefs. No one controls a man’s thoughts!

Nevertheless, Gen. Buratai stands very tall because he voluntarily decided on a military career and conscripted himself into the Nigerian Army; underwent the stipulated training and formally joined the Army in 1983 to render service to fatherland and humanity globally. Until the COAS was so elevated to the exalted position of Nigeria’s number one soldier, he excelled as a properly trained infantry combatant in all assignments on the field within and outside the country.

Buratai himself hails from the lineage of warriors in Biu village of Biu LGA of Borno state, one of the states, regarded as the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency. His biological father, the brave elder Papa Buratai, who died just last year was a World II veteran of repute under the British-controlled Royal West African Frontier Force (RWFF) and lived several decades after it.

After returning from the Burma wars under the British empire, Papa Buratai also undertook another risky job of ship escort guard with a shipping company in Lagos for years, but still braved the odds, retiring to a quiet life in old age, until he answered the divine call to reunite with his Creator last year. A man of Papa Buratai’s exploits cannot give birth to a weakling who has delightedly chosen his career as a Nigeria’s soldier.

That’s why Gen. Buratai does not sit in Abuja and bark orders to troops in the Northeast; but leads the battle from the front and in the trenches with his troops energetically. Nigerians who do not appreciate Gen. Buratai’s steadfastness on fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to a standstill cannot regret their myopic reasoning even in the next world of reincarnation.

There is no greater sacrifice one can render to his nation than defending its unity, togetherness and territorial integrity against external aggressions. This is what Gen. Buratai has done for decades in his military career. In America where Nigeria borrows its leg of democracy, at least 29 former American Presidents who served their country in the Armed Forces are usually prouder than others.

The likes of George Ford, the famous Jimmy Carter; Richard Nixon; George H. W Bush, Ronald Reagan and hordes of others are proud to render their services to nationhood, like President Buhari, who has appointed his moniker, Gen. Buratai to oversee the Nigerian Army.

Gen. Buratai had the opportunity to practice a profession that was more secured based on his innate brilliance as noticed today, but he opted for the Military. For the sake of patriotism, Gen. Buratai decided to put his life on the line to defend his fatherland as a soldier. And he intends to outdo the military records of his late father.

When President Buhari appointed Gen. Buratai as Nigeria’s 26th COAS, he pledged his total dedication to duty and loyalty to the Commander-In- Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces, President Buhari. Quite honestly, credit must be given to Buratai because he has shown over the years that Nigeria comes first before self-interest and must be defended at all times by every Nigerian.

And his commitment to Nigeria these few years has remained the plank of a united Nigeria, despite the conspiratorial gang-ups and upsurge of terrorist’s attacks, criminal activities of militant groups in the Niger Delta and agitations from Nnamdi Kanu’s outlawed IPOB. But it only conveys one message; and it is that Gen. Buratai is firmly convinced about the necessity of the defence of his dear nation; a silently saying a regenerated Nigeria for today and tomorrow is possible.

The Army Chief’s appointment in 2015 couldn’t have been timelier and more strategic. The country was in dire need of a messiah to salvage the country from insecurities as the nation drowned helplessly. Gen. Buratai is an adroit defender of Nigeria’s democracy in the country’s most turbulent times.

Nigeria faltered badly because former commanders of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations had shakable loyalty to Nigeria and their Commander-In-Chief, unlike Gen. Buratai has unveiled on President Buhari these years.

The Army boss has tirelessly worked and supported democratic governance in Nigeria. Even when some mischievous political elements wanted to take advantage of President Buhari’s several medical absences to truncate democracy, by making overtures to some officers and soldiers for political reasons, Gen. Buratai fervidly stood against it.

He warned them to be wary of the consequences of their actions, telling the intending coup plotters not to make any attempt at truncating the nation’s democracy. The Army Chief was emphatic, warning Army officers to steer clear of politics. He asked those interested in politics to resign from the Nigerian Army to pursue their new found ambitions.

In his interview with BBC’s Stephen Sackur, in July 2017, Gen. Buratai clearly sounded; “there is no leadership vacuum,” explaining it as a pre-emptive caution, based on past experiences.

“There is no vacuum, it’s just a sort of pre-emptive warning in terms of what transpired before this administration came on board. Based on our own knowledge, based on our experiences, it is good once in a while to tell officers that there are bounds that we must remain within the constitutional boundaries. There are constitutional provisions; there is never a vacuum. We have an Acting President there. I think whatever is happening, we should allow Mr. President to recuperate, get stronger and go back home.”

Again, and again, Gen. Buratai has never failed to drum it into the ears of soldiers and men of the Nigerian Army. At the opening ceremony of a seminar for Commandants, Bursars and Administrative officers of the Nigerian Army on August 1, 2019, in Abuja. Gen. Buratai retold his preachments on politics as the non-negotiable loyalty of the Nigerian Army under his leadership to Mr. President and the country. He urged officers to remain apolitical, take right actions and show commitment to constitutionally defined obligations.

Again, Gen. Buratai roared; “We need to remain absolutely loyal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is a non-negotiable part of our profession.”

Furthermore, at the commissioning ceremony of the entrepreneurial skills acquisition centre, Transit Accommodation and the newly built accident and emergency ward of the Nigerian Army Medical Hospital at the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Gibson Jalo Cantonment in Yola, Adamawa State on December 28th, 2019, Gen. Buratai also echoed to soldiers to be grateful to their nation, keep faith and loyalty to the FGN led by President Buhari.

His persuasive words vibrated; “I want you to keep faith, be focused and loyal to the Federal Government and be grateful of the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, for his support to the Nigerian Army. Therefore, I wish to pledge the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the President and the defence of our democracy.”

Scarcely in Nigeria’s existential political history would a leader of the Nigerian Army display such fondness of loyalty to a sitting President and a passion for the defence of the country’s democracy. The few can doubt, but the current Nigeria’s Army Chief iconic leadership has sensitized and strengthened the military generally as a subordinate institution to civil rule and democratic institutions of the country.

Indeed, Buratai has sacredly remained a reference pillar of loyalty, love for the country and dedication to the nation’s peace and security under a democracy. Unlike others, and undauntedly, Gen. Buratai hungers every day to disarm the wings of criminals and tormentors of Nigeria for a country totally exculpated from the strings of insecurities. In every sense, he is indeed, the finest testimony or portrait of absolute loyalty to Nigeria and the Army’s mirror as subordinates to democratic institutions of a country.

Gana PhD in waiting wrote this article from Keffi, Nasarawa State.

And in Lekki, the Truth Died

By Philip Agbese

I have noticed much of cacophonic noises about the alleged shootings and deaths in Lagos Lekki Toll Gate by Nigerian soldiers. The voices are strange and confusing, but loud enough to cause insomnia even to birds of the air and cause disquiet in the abodes of ancestors in their graves.

Some people tell me, this land of Oduduwa has been polluted and defiled with blood seeking for the offenders. They say the gods are angry and seeking vengeance on the enemies. Others tell me, there were blood stains or dead bodies at Lekki. Unclear shaky fingers are pointing at massacres in Lekki, which are invisible in every sense.

The fury in me and my patriots is much; we must be our brother’s keeper; it’s a divine command. We are preparing for war to avenge the alleged brutal deaths of our beloved ones by the men in khaki.

But do we have a genuine reason to seek vengeance? The more I think, the more perplexed and forlorn I feel with my inner self. My dilemma is compounded by the lies told and retold by wisemen and women of today. They are unlike the wisemen of the Bible. There is a blend of darkness and light in an odd marital bliss. But can darkness and light co-habit?

Are my senses failing me? Did I hear some loud whispers saying, no one died? No! It is impossible! I beg to differ. Someone and something died at Lekki on that dark night of October 20. The screams and clatters shuddered even sleeping dogs into wakefulness. Anyone who says there was no massacre in Lekki must be day-dreaming and snoring. Yes! Something was massacred in Lekki.

Unfortunately, the only victim of Lekki “massacre” known to me, who died is TRUTH. And truth died with neither children nor relations to mourn his wretched soul. Yes, he is the only casualty in Lekki. His friends denied him; likewise, neighbours, but dirges resonated far into heaven to bemoan his innocence.

Truth, a poor and orphaned lad graced the world a loner and also, died a loner. I am not surprised because the modern world is complex. I begged to be his companion when he was alive, but Mr. Truth rejected me. But I will be his friend in death and mourn his demise wholeheartedly. I will invite kings and queens to his funeral. I will invite my friends all over Nigeria and abroad to the interment ceremony of Mr. Truth. I will wail until God Himself hears me out and send His angels to console me.

I will prove to those who said, there was no casualty at Lekki that Mr. Truth was murdered in cold blood. Oh, my dear friend, Mr. Truth, only God chases away flies from a cow without a tail. Mr. Truth roamed the world unnoticed. He came to Nigeria, but we never welcomed him with a sweet lullaby. We scorned and ridiculed him publicly. Bureaucrats’, politicians, activists and hoodlums jeered at him. Mr. Truth finally landed in Lekki, Lagos and coldly murdered by hired merchants of blackmail and hate.

But Mr. Truth was kind and generous. He was a protective shield for all. Everyone he met found his exemplary peace, love, compassion and consolation endearing. Mr. Truth fought the battles of others and neither demanded a penny nor appreciation from them. He risked his life to save others.

He played the sacrificial lamp all the times. Yet, he was unconscionably and wickedly massacred in Lekki. Such cruelty by humanity baffles me limitlessly. Surely, Mr. Truth shall reincarnate someday to savour the grace of Jehovah God and mock the callousness of his killers. I have no doubt that he will emerge stronger and sit on the throne of kings in the ambience of purity, deriding those who prematurely terminated his life.

I have extensively read and written on the alleged Lekki massacre many times since the incident occurred. I can comfortably claim a fair knowledge of what exactly transpired at Lekki. And I sensed a big gulf between reality and the spiteful rejigged narrations of the incident as bandied in public domain. Again, having attended all the sittings and listened to the actors at the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, so far, I feel obliged as a human rights activist to join other Nigerians and the rest of the world to satirically mourn the death of truth. Indeed, truth was massacred at Lekki.

The deliberate murder of truth was done not by the power of any gun nor any official authority. It wasn’t even the soldiers or other security agents. But the felonious instincts of #EndSARS protesters themselves and their sponsors. In killing the truth, the protesters murdered conscience; they strangulated Lagos to suffocation and rubbed mud in the face of Nigeria.

The protesters, their acolytes, conspirators and promoters fooled us to murder the truth. Our activists joined in the fray of murderers of the truth. Some of our celebrities chorused the antiphonies in loud jubilations after the death of Mr. Truth. A handful politicians and leaders sounded the death knell on the truth; they unabashedly passed a verdict of guilt on his innocence. The soil of the earth became hardened and refused to be excavated to host the cadaver of Mr. Truth. The labourers tried in vain. But the mystery must be unfolded.

The ghost of Mr. Truth is prowling the land hauntingly in search of the executioners of his innocent soul. The gods are angry. Time has come to invite the chief priest of Atakwu-enyi shrine to appease the gods for the great evil committed. The land must be cleansed of all filth.

Now, I agree with everyone that there was a massacre in Lekki. It was the truth who died in the hands of heartless people. Both the initiators of the actions leading to the gruesome murder of truth and the onlookers are guilty in same depth. What a perfidious generation passionately aloof to truth.

Quite ironic, we all like the truth elsewhere; but have refused to uphold his doctrines or preserve his antecedents in Lekki and Nigeria. Therefore, the US was fooled on Lekki. The United Nations (UN) was fooled. The UK was fooled. The EU was fooled. Even our Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were fooled in their multitudes. Royal fathers were deceived, likewise the clergy. Human rights bodies swallowed the pill of dishonesty and displayed a nauseating dose of intoxication.

Sacred pulpits of evangelism became campaign podiums for the sentencing of Mr. Truth to death. He had no protector or sentinel to shield him from the killer lies and menacing poisonous blades. The gullible amongst us experienced faked post mortem analysis and conversions like the Biblically prophesied apocalypse on why Mr. Truth was killed. So, indeed, the truth died by our collective actions and irritating indifference.

The day of Armageddon is knocking hard on our doorsteps. But are we sane enough to reminisce how we murdered truth? How was truth murdered? We were told lies that our troops were killing defenseless citizens and we sent it viral on social media platforms, without confirmation. We were told the Army interfered with a civil protest uninvited in brazen violation of extant laws of Nigeria. It was falsehood at its peak.

The haters lied to us that the Army Morgue in Lagos was the secret mass grave of the slain Lekki 78. We were told dead bodies of Lekki massacres were all over the streets of Lagos. But we woke up to a peaceful city, with no dead bodies or decomposing corpse anywhere. Only the deserted corpse of Mr. Truth was found abandoned in the morgue, in the media, on TV screens, in the open air, treetops and on the streets of Lagos.

But in truth, nobody died from gunshot wounds; no mortuary in Lagos preserved the corpse of the Lekki victims of the alleged soldiers’ barbaric brutality; no graves of the victims anywhere; no mourners or relations or siblings of the dead is known to date. We were told someone counted 78 dead bodies, but there were no missing persons at break of dawn.

And the pigheaded rights activists told us another fantastic lie again. They claimed relations of the Lekki victims dreaded coming out to testify at the probe panel for fear of intimidation and harassments. What a poorly crafted lie; a vicious cycle of rehearsed deceit.

However, can they show us the graves? Can they take the probe panel members to the graves of the Lekki #EndSARS casualties? These are questions the ghost of Mr. Truth is wandering the land restlessly and begging for answers from a humanity which terribly wronged him. Oh! May you Rest In Peace, Mr. Truth; Rest In Peace, Truth, the indomitable hero of our times! The fight is above me; it is only of the gods of the great shrine who have the prowess. Adieu!

Agbese is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom.

Femi Falana and Lady Justice

By Chidiebere Kalu

Even weeks after, the haunting ghost of the completely senseless and subversive #EndSARS protests have refused to desert me. I kept wondering why a sane man or woman would take a knife and consciously inflict a cut on his body in the guise of anything or for whatever excuse. That’s the highest grade of self-masochism. But some Nigerians excitedly did it to themselves.

There is no mystery I have found completely very complex to interpret in recent times like the madness exhibited by #EndSARS protesters, particularly in Southern Nigeria. Understandably and for these reasons, the reverberations of the destructive #EndSARS protests have refused to dissipate in my psyche.

It is basically because the overt and covert protagonists of the dubious protests have refused to bow to reason, more especially as they now sit back to take census of the awful ruins, they caused to themselves, states and the country. What is more baffling to me again is the actors’ thoughtlessly ruinous move to the next level of threats and intimidation of the Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria Army, who rather saved the day.

What keeps recurring on my mind is the name of rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and his clan of street activists on human rights. I have not read of the history of any country where the bargain for the enforcement of human rights of citizens or a drastic change in an unpopular government policy should lead to such public roguery and destruction of national assets. I stand corrected.

But the Falanas are more comfortable with suppressing the truth and elevating lies to officialdom. Meanwhile, these are supposedly senior citizens of the country. In spite of the upbraids and the disfigured idiosyncrasies flaunted by some people, I have no modicum of doubt that justice still exists in Nigeria. Our leader, President Buhari still allows all components and institutions of a democratic nation function maximally and without interference.

That’s why I believe designers of Nigeria’s symbol of Justice must have been wisemen or people imbued with the Solomonic wisdom. The stature displays a blind folded woman, with a sword in the right hand, and scales in the left hand. In the ancient world, the fragrance of truth and innocence of humanity was more expressed by women. Our forefathers of whatever clime were right.

Let me remind that Nigeria’s Lady Justice represents this philosophical thought. Lady Justice derives her originality from the Roman Goddess “Justitia” who shares the same prowess with “Dike” the Greek Goddess. In the ancient Greek world, both goddesses were famed for truth regardless of whoever was involved. They had diabolical or superstitious influence to fish out a liar, extract the truth and severely punish the culprit for lying to the gods.

The contents of 1 Kings 3:16-28 reminds me of that profound virtues of truth embedded in women as reflected in the Holy Bible. In the Holy Scriptures, most episodes we encounter about women signifies them as a creation more amenable to truth and honesty than their male folk. Even in today’s adulterated world, true women of virtue still stand for truth and abhors injustice or falsehood.

A rewind of the expired #EndSARS protests struck me strongly about the Biblical story of the two mothers who lived under the same roof and gave birth to babies on the same day. One of the mothers mistakenly smothered her baby to death. But satanic instincts influenced her and dubiously, in the course of the nigh, she cleverly exchanged her dead infant with that of the woman whose baby was alive. A controversy and quarrel ensued between the two mothers.

The matter came before King Solomon of ancient Israel for Judgement as each of the mothers claimed ownership of the baby alive. The King called for a sword and thus, declared his judgment; “the baby would be cut in two, each woman to receive half.” The impostor mother consented to the decision instantly; while the actual biological mother hotly contested it and preferred her child’s survival in whoever’s hand’s than the killing.

The biological mother passionately begged; “Give the baby to her, just don’t kill him!” King Solomon thus declared the second woman the true mother, as the real mother of the baby alive. King Solomon was nowhere near where the evil was contrived and executed. But he sensed the truth in words and actions of the real biological mother of the baby alive.

These are lessons we must cherish and learn from it and Nigeria’s emblem of justice derives its potency from the purity of a virtuous woman’s heart. At its core is the touchy lesson that truth can never be concealed and buried forever. When the hour of truth comes, it exhumes it unexpectedly like in the case of the two mothers in the Holy Scriptures.

Falana and his apostates seek desperately to bury the truth about the Lekki Toll Gate incident, where they conspiratorially alleged, soldiers of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed protesters; killing scores in the process. But the casualty figure and proof of it have remained a burden to the masterminds of the fake news. Every avenue of combing for evidence has been exhausted by that witch-hunting the Nigerian Army, but to no avail.

My greatest worry has been that for weeks now, no evidence to align soldiers under the leadership of the COAS Lt. Gen. TY Buratai to any killing has been found. Let’s ignore the desperation of other malicious hunters of Nigerian soldiers.

The anger in me bubbles more against Falana for specific reasons. I have noticed overtime that Falana is a clandestine third force assiduously working for foreign forces against the destabilizations of Nigeria. This lawyer freely aligns with any agenda hatched towards the destruction of Nigeria.

He is always ready to give the back-up force and with his credentials as a lawyer, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). And because of him, his doomsday slayers and soulmates believe absolutely of their protection under the law.

Let’s forget his previous malfeasances in Nigeria coated in his darkened and defiled silk and gown. But a reminder to Falana again, that he had no reason to conspire with the lawfully detained leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) or the Shiites in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky to mislead the country by feigning his severe sickness and endorsing his evil plot to escape from trial in Nigeria to either Iran or Iraq. These are countries globally acknowledged as the fountain and exporters of terrorism world -wide.

We have not known Falana and coy as the first and only human rights campaigners in Nigeria. But rights and social crusaders of the older generation before Falana, such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Tai Solarin (both of blessed memory) and even today’s Prof. Wole Soyinka never compromised patriotism to Nigeria despite the anger against Government.

No one is above the law. All of us are subject to the laws of the land, with Falana is also inclusive. Let him show Nigerians concrete evidence of the claimed shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki in Lagos or else, some of us would be compelled to institute a suit against him for instigating national subversion, killings and destructions.

But if Falana fails to find a cogent and certified evidence, he can only return his honour, escape our retaliation and be pardoned, if he bows to nothing less than humility by apologizing for his wrongdoings against his own country. Falana has been getting away with so many instigations of the populace towards violence. So, #EndSARS protests is one wrong too many. He has the right like every other Nigerian to either love or hate President Buhari or Gen. Buratai. But he mustn’t tell injurious and public instigative lies to justify the hatred.

Mr. Rights Lawyer, Falana, time has come for you to take full responsibility for your actions. Already, I have learnt that some people have dragged him to the Internal Criminal Court (ICC) over the #EndSARS scam of Nigeria. It is my conviction that the only path of plain truth left for Falana is to apologize to Nigerians and the rest of the world for this crime and previous ones he has committed against humanity and his country, Nigeria.

Kalu Esq is a legal practitioner and wrote from Lagos.

General Buratai And His Loyalty To Nigeria

By David Onmeje

“The best system of governance is a democracy, and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilizing agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire. We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilization”. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The story of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is indeed an interesting one and one laced with adventures right from an early age. The take away from his trajectory is that of sheer determination, dedication and patriotism. For those that knew the young Buratai indeed constantly testify to his unflinching love for the country a trait that was gotten from his late father a world war two veteran.

It therefore, came as no surprise to many when the young Buratai elected to follow his father’s footsteps by joining the Nigerian Army to continue from where his father stopped in service and loyalty to Nigeria.

The exploits of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff is indeed one laced with numerous innovations and the placement of the interest of Nigeria above every other thing. This much has characterized his leadership of the Nigerian Army since his appointment some years back.

The Nigerian Army of today under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is indeed a story of a professional fighting force dedicated and committed to defending and preserving the territorial integrity of the country as well as the preservation of our nascent democracy.

The Nigerian Army under the watch of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has risen to the occasion in addressing the various security threats in the country. Its continued interventions in internal security operations are also noteworthy. We must admit that a lot has changed in the security architecture in Nigeria with the Nigerian Army leading the fray. The prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorism is indeed one area that the Nigerian Army has indeed surpassed expectations and within a record time.

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the Nigerian Army indeed took the battle to the Boko Haram terrorist and within a record time it recaptured the over 16 local government areas that were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram group in states in North-East Nigeria. It is also on record that under the leadership of Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, the Nigerian Army took over the operational headquarters of the Boko Haram group in Sambisa Forest.

I must also add that of the six states in North-East Nigeria, the Nigeria Army was able to wipe out all traces of Boko Haram in five states but for Borno State still experiencing pockets of Boko Haram attacks, which has been mainly attributed to the refusal of the political authorities in the state to join hands with the Nigerian Army in decimating the Boko Haram group in the state.

It is also on record that in the history of the Nigerian Army there hasn’t been a time like now where the Nigerian Army has been actively engaged in over 20 operations simultaneously across the country. And they have all been successful. This is an indication of the level of professionalism introduced by Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai towards ensuring that the Nigerian Army demonstrates its slogan as the Pride of the Nation. And true to this accolades and commendations have not been in short supply.

For example, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award which is the highest military honour, awarded to military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours. According to citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of his exemplary and world’s recognized leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Another worthy example of the outstanding leadership qualities of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was when he was presented with the African Leadership Award at the 7th Edition of the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to the Selection Committee of the African Leadership Magazine Annual Award, the Chief of Army Staff was honoured with the prestigious and highly coveted award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Africa’s security, economic growth and development. They further noted that the commitment and exemplary leadership exhibited by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army stood him out amongst African leaders that contributed to security on the continent.

The above indeed gives us a peep into the tremendous efforts by the Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who has been relentless in defending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with heart and might in ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria. This much was attested when Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai when he recently quoted as saying “I wish to pledge the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of our democracy.”

This is the quintessential Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai whose passion and dedication to the Nigerian cause cannot be questioned. I dare say if the bulk of Nigerians occupying leadership positions has a fraction of the level of passion and dedication of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, indeed Nigeria would overcome its challenges in all spheres of our endeavours. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is indeed a testament to the loyalty and the role of the military as a subordinate to the democratic institution of a country.

“There is no choice between a democratically united, strong and prosperous Nigeria and a nation disunited in a state of anarchy and retrogression. We must all strive for a united, strong, stable and progressive Nigeria”. – Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

Lekki Shooting: Apologise to Nigerian Army now, Lagos group tells Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos Observers Group (LOG) says Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, must apologise to the Nigerian Army for misleading the general public on the EndSARS protests.

The group said this has become paramount after reviewing circumstances that led to the escalation of violence in the state during the protest while analysing the Army’s testimony as well as other critical stakeholders before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution.

In a communique co-signed by Folarin John Odusote and Dr Boboye Olarewaju, its chairman and secretary respectively, on Monday, the LOG said the Army’s testament was factual to support their position that the EndSARS campaign was not a reflection of the reality on the ground. 

The group noted that indeed Governor Sanwo-Olu called for reinforcement from the Army when it was apparent that the Police has been overwhelmed. 

It also said that the soldiers deployed to the Lekki Tollgate were pelted with stones and other items upon arrival but did not have live bullets. 

At the end of its extraordinary general meeting, the group, however, said the allegations 
levelled against the Army are “fictitious and meant to disparage the timely intervention of the troops”. 

According to the Lagos Observers Group, there is overwhelming evidence that indeed the Nigerian Army was invited by the Governor of Lagos State. 

The group called on Sanwo-Olu to tender an apology to the troops or resign honourably. 

Read full communique below:

Introduction: 

The Lagos Observers a pan-Nigerian group with membership cutting across all ethnic nationalities, religious groups and professional bodies convoked an extraordinary general meeting to deliberate on the recent revelations made by the Nigerian Army at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution. 

The Lagos Observers Group in the attempt to put issues in proper perspectives given the enormity of the task at hand in unraveling the circumstances that led to the escalation of violence in the state during the EndSARS protest reviewed the testimony by the Nigerian Army and other critical stakeholders before the Lagos State  Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution. 

The Deliberations: 

Members of the Lagos Observers Group deliberated on the facts presented by the Nigerian Army with regards to the following: 

The use of live bullets 

Who invited the Nigerian Army

How many people died and what led to the death

Was there a case of provocation

The Lagos Observers group indeed noted that the testimony by the Nigerian Army was backed by facts and evidence to support their position which is an indication that the bulk of the information on the EndSARS campaign was not a reflection of the reality on the ground. 

Our members took the time to scrutinize the various testimonies by other concerned parties involved in the EndSARS protest to identify the number of casualties as a result of the intervention of the Nigerian Army at the Lekki Tollgate.  

Our findings: 

The members of the Lagos Observers group after extensive deliberations and fact checks indeed identified that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for reinforcement from the Nigerian Army when it was apparent that the Nigerian Police has been overwhelmed and things were about to get out of control.  

It was also discovered that the soldiers deployed to the Lekki Tollgate were pelted with stones and other items upon arrival in an already tensed atmosphere susceptible to the crisis of immeasurable proportion in the Lekki-Ikoyi axis. 

The soldiers deployed at the Lekki Tollgate did not have live bullets as widely claimed and reported by a large segment of the population. What was used were blank ammunitions usually deployed in quelling riots.

It was also discovered that soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate fired into the air to disperse the already riotous crowd and not into the crowd as erroneously stated in different quarters. This fact is buttressed with the fact that the only death recorded at the Lekki Tollgate was not as a result of gunshot injuries.  

It was also discovered that even in the face of provocation, the soldiers remained calm and within their mandate of dispersing the crowd with the use of minimal force. This much was seen in the various video recordings scrutinized. 

Conclusion:  

The Lagos Observers group at the end of its extraordinary general meeting herby makes the following conclusions:

That the allegations levelled against the Nigerian Army are indeed fictitious and meant to disparage the timely intervention of the Nigerian Army in the restoration of law and order in Lagos state.

This is on the heels that despite the denial of the Lagos State Governor with regards to the invitation extended to the Nigerian Army to intervene to restore law and order, there has been an avalanche of evidence that indicates that indeed the Nigerian Army was invited by the Governor of Lagos State. 

Recommendations: 

The Lagos Observers Group as a consequent of the recent revelations that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu indeed invited the Nigerian Army, we are recommending the following: 

That the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu should tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian Army for misleading the general public with regards to the intervention of the Nigerian Army during the EndSARS protests. 

That the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu should in future take ownership of his actions as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Security Officer of the state.

That if the Governor fails to tender an unreserved apology, he should tow the honourable path of resignation as he would no longer be fit to occupy the position of Governor of Lagos State. 

Why Nigerians want Amnesty International out of the country

A lot was expected from Amnesty International’s maiden foray into Nigeria in 2015. With its burgeoning global status, Africa’s most populous nation envisaged a new chapter in human rights violation. However, five years down the line, AI has underwhelmed, on its way out of the country. 

Amnesty presented itself as the “messiah” on a rescue mission to Nigeria. Following the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the West African nation was gradually recuperating from the wreckage of the Boko Haram terrorists in the north. Far south, there was also the looming insurrection by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). At that point, any help whatsoever would be welcomed. 

While admitting instant progress under the new administration, it alleged serious human rights violations. “Nigeria has achieved remarkable things – but serious violations continue, unpunished,” said Amnesty International Secretary-General, Salil Shetty. “In establishing a permanent base in Nigeria, we want to send a clear message: Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, alongside the individuals and organizations already fighting abuses”.

Indeed, AI’s message was instant. The group’s adventure hit the rocks from the start. In a report published in January 2016, it immediately championed a campaign pushing for the legalisation of homosexuality. In a massively religious country where same-sex marriage contract or civil union faces up to 14 years imprisonment and the death penalty in states under Shari’a law, it was a mission in futility. 

“The rights of LGBTI people continued to be curtailed,” AI wailed. “Human rights defenders reported a significant increase in the number of arrests of LGBTI people and police extortion. The Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights, a coalition of NGOs working on the rights of LGBTI people in Nigeria, cited over 200 cases across the country where people perceived to be LGBTI were beaten by mobs and handed over to the police”. 

Amnesty then admitted war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Boko Haram in the northeast. Despite this obvious catastrophe and even acknowledging “sustained offensive by the military”, nonetheless, the group accused the troops of using excessive force. It was like chiding a father for disciplining his wayward child. 

It was early days, yet Nigerians already perceived bias. Amnesty International subsequently sympathized with separatists. The group lashed out at the Nigerian authorities over the arrest of IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu and Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, the spiritual head of Iran-backed Islamic Movement of Nigeria. 

Amnesty International’s scathing onslaught on the Nigerian government has not ceased. The group has maintained the same script, agenda and modus operandi, striking at the slightest instance. 

The military has been worst hit. Each time troops appear to be gathering momentum on the war against Boko Haram terrorists, AI would show up with a damning report to dampen the progress in the guise of advocating for human rights and equality. 

However, this penchant for falsehood and desperation to satisfy its paymasters reached an all-time low recently during the EndSARS movement. Without any tangible proof, AI alleged a ” massacre” in Lagos on October 20. The group said at least 12 persons were killed by the police and military in Alausa and Lekki Toll Gate, with hundreds injured. AI also claimed that CCTV cameras were dismantled to cover up the murder. 

Desperate to stay relevant, Amnesty characteristically released this misleading report barely 24 hours later. Worse still, AI based its conclusion on “social media videos”. In all its supposed investigation, Amnesty is yet to admit that scores of police officers were killed by rampaging protesters with many injured in life-threatening conditions. 

Nigerians are fed up and reckon that if nothing is done these slipshod reports could plunge the nation into anarchy. Recall that the arson and killings in Lagos and other parts of the country trailed Amnesty’s publication. While Nigerians wept, the group added to their war chest, trading on and merchandising their miseries. 

Amnesty has unsuccessfully tried to build a presence in the developing world for decades. In 1977, senior Amnesty members and staff set a goal to “make Amnesty more universal especially by getting a ‘foothold’ in second and third worlds.” The group is suffering an unprecedented crisis, with substantial membership numbers and dues-paying members in decline. 

Amnesty’s work around the world, particularly in conflict-affected countries, is highly under scrutiny and its officials are often accused of siding with the anti-establishment forces and supporting their attempt of regime change. It crosshairs with the governments of several countries and most, unlike Nigeria, are not patient.
 
Amnesty is unwanted guests in nations.  Nigeria is only its third national office models. The other two are in Brazil and India.  However, Amnesty has departed the Asian nation and could be om it’s way out of Brazil too. 
 
In India, it cited unfounded and motivated allegations for the reason for exiting, something of a twist in fortune. “We are facing a rather unprecedented situation in India. Amnesty International India has been facing an onslaught of attacks, bullying and harassment by the government in a very systematic manner,” an official said. 

Not only India, but several other countries are also upset with the activities of the supposed watchdog. Around 40 countries including Russia, Israel, Hungary, and Egypt have enacted stringent laws against NGOs. Even in America, there is a ban on the interference of any foreign institution in its domestic politics. 
 
These days, though, when under immense pressure after making multiple false claims, AI resorts to a fake apology. It deploys this strategy to save its face and potentially hold on to its sponsors. 
 
In December 2018, the group apologised to the Netherlands over a magazine that trivialized the suffering and trauma refugees have experienced fleeing their homes, particularly women. The group placed Bangladesh among countries currently facing a war or conflict and apologised after a backlash. 
 
In May, Amnesty International accused the Ethiopian government of committing “grave violations between December 2018 and December 2019 in some parts of Amhara and Oromia regions”. Shamefully, the group apologised later, claiming to have posted it in error.
 
Nigerians may not be patient to wait for an apology. AI knows the door out.

Yoruba Group Lauds Nigerian Army’s Testimony at Lagos Panel

The Coalition of Oduduwa Decedents has lauded the testimony of the Nigerian Army at the resumed hearing of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution which held recently in Lagos state.

According to a statement by the group, the testimony of the Nigerian Army is an indication that the Nigerian Army has nothing to hide with regards to its intervention in the EndSARS protest that recently rocked the country.

“ It is indeed a statement of the fact that the Nigerian Army intervened in the EndSARS protest on the invitation of the Lagos state government which is contrary to the narrative been pushed forward by some segment of the populace. This much was highlighted in the testimony given by representatives of the Nigerian Army that appeared before the panel. We find this disposition commendable, which by and large indicates the tremendous respect the Nigerian Army authorities, has for the rule of law in the country.”

The group further added that the way and manner the Nigerian Army presented their case indicates its readiness to defend its actions and inactions at all times.

“The Nigerian Army has indeed won the confidence of the Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants by setting the records straight with regards to what transpired at the Lekki Tollgate where it was alleged that soldiers killed unarmed and peaceful protesters.”

“ The Nigerian Army indeed clarified its intervention and with facts to buttress their point in a detailed fashion that indeed punctured the erroneous and highly misleading stories that made the round that live bullets were fired into the crowd of peaceful protesters.”

“ The fact that the governor of Lagos state invited the Nigerian Army to intervene in the Lekki Toll Gate protest is an indication that things were going out of control and the last resort was to invite the Nigerian Army to restore law and order.”

The Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants stated that the Nigerian Army acted in the best interest of the country by averting what would have been a crisis of phenomenal proportion with the hijack of the protest by some thugs and hoodlums.

“It remains the fact that hoodlums and thugs had hijacked the protest and were on the verge of unleashing violence but for the intervention of soldiers that fired blank bullets into the air in an attempt to dismiss the already restive and volatile crowd.”

“It is thus our considered opinion that the intervention of the soldiers indeed saved the day. This is, however, contrary to the narrative promoted in some quarters where it was alleged that soldiers massacred youths at the Lekki Tollgate.”

“There is a great need for Nigerians to tow the path of caution when it comes to issues of national security as there are more than meets the eyes and with the level of professionalism that has been entrenched in the operations of the Nigerian Army in the last few years, it would be foolhardy for soldiers to fire live bullets into a crowd of peaceful protesters and in the full glare of the public.”

The Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants berated the promoters of fake news in the country for the ignoble role played in misinforming the public with regards to what transpired at the Lekki Tollgate.

“This is the era of fake news, and we must admit that those promoters of fake news are responsible for the disjointed and incoherent statements issued with regards to what transpired at the Lekki Tollgate. We are convinced that it was indeed deliberate and meant to blow things out of proportion and present the Nigerian Army in a bad light.”

“The recent revelations have vindicated the Nigerian Army, and it is hoped that the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution would do all within its mandate to serve justice to all found culpable in the escalation of violence in Lagos state.”

“The Nigerian Army has by all indications remained the nation’s saving grace as exemplified in the restoration of law and order in Lagos state and other parts of the country. This much the Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants acknowledges and commends. It is also hoped that the testimony of the Nigerian Army would indeed put to rest the speculations that soldiers at the Lekki Tollgate committed a massacre.”

It would be recalled that there had been widespread criticism of the Nigerian Army for its intervention in the restoration of law and order during the EndSARS protest in the country.