Senator Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says for Nigeria to attain parity with older and more established democracies, the country must accept protests as part of its national development.
According to him, protest is essential because it lends greater depth to the relationship between government and the governed.
The APC national leader in a statement on Sunday reaffirmed his support for the people and their right to protest peacefully.
“The right to protest should be pacifically exercised and never abused; neither should it be feared nor unduly curtailed.
“The right to protest is more than integral to the democratic setting; it transcends any form of government.
“Because of my strong belief in the right to protest and my adherence to democratic ideals, I was among those who actively protested the annulment of the June 12 election.
“l eagerly joined and sometimes led multitudes who took to the streets to protest the singular injustice of that historic moment,’’ he said.
“We demanded foundation for the youth today to protest and to call to the fore their grievances whenever our social or political institutions fail them in a material way.
“Thus, I cannot not wax nostalgic about pro-democracy protests of the 1990s, yet castigate those who today protest against any form of institutionalized brutality.
“No democratically minded person can fault those who protests in this regard.
“No society, even the most democratic, is perfect.
“All nations suffer lapses that cause even their most respected institutions to fall short of their better ideals,’’ Tinubu said.
According to him, Nigeria’s imperfection does not stop improvement or reform.
He said that the country must constantly put its institutions and government to tests that may reshape Nigeria into a better nation and constantly improve the manner in which it treats its citizens.
“If we do not commit ourselves in this way, democracy may not long be ours,” he said
According to him, time has come to take the necessary legal actions to allow for the creation of state police and the recruitment and training of many more police officers.
He said that such state-created forces should be based on the modern tenets of community policing, optimal relations and cooperation with local communities.
Tinubu explained that measures such as these are needed to cure present gaps in how military and law enforcement treat the general public.
“We know there are criminal elements in society primed to harm people and seize property. We expect this of criminals.
“What is not expected is that people will be brutalized and scarred by those commissioned to protect and serve them.
“This anomaly must end,” Tinubu said.
The APC leader said that some in the police had lost their way by distorting their helpful mission into its opposite
“Such gross malpractice by a tainted minority must stop so that the bulk of good police officers may do their job properly, with the support and thanks of a grateful community.
“It must stand as a maxim for any compassionate, sane society that innocent people should not die or be injured at the hands of law enforcement.
“Enough blood has been spilled; enough pain has been felt,” he said.
Tinubu also proposed that revenue from the Lekki Tollgate be donated to confirmed victims of the shooting that occurred during the #EndSARS protest.
According to him, other identifiable victims of police brutality in the state should also benefit from the proceeds.
He also absolved himself from allegations of ordering the deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters at Lekki toll plaza on Oct.20, 2020.
“I propose to government that the tollgate be left closed for an indefinite period.
“If it is reopened, revenues should be donated to the confirmed victims of the Lekki attack as well as to other identifiable victims of police brutality in Lagos.
“Let government use the money to compensate and take care of those who have lost life or limb in the struggle for all citizens to go about the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of life without fear of undue harassment at this or that checkpoint.’’
On the allegations that he owned the Lekki toll gate concession, Tinubu refuted the claims, saying the toll gate was a public asset of which he had no business interest in.
On his involvement in the killings, he said: “I did not order this or any assault against anybody neither do I have any prior knowledge about this sad event.
“The present situation clearly does nothing to profit me politically or otherwise.
“It has complicated matters for me because many people now wrongfully blame me for a violent incident in which I played no part.
“Still, I stand strongly behind the people of Nigeria and affirm their right to protest peacefully,” he said
The APC leader condemned the use of force on peaceful protesters.
“ The use of strong force against any peaceful protesters is indefensible.
“It is completely outside the norms of a democratic society and progressive political culture to which I have aspired and devoted public life.
“It is my firm belief that no one should be harassed, injured or possibly killed for doing what they have the constitutional right to do in making their contribution to a better, more equitable society.’’
He said: “Along with all well-meaning, patriotic Nigerians, I want to see an end to all forms of institutionalised brutality and l shall do my utmost to see that this humane objective is realised.
“For, if these protests can generate meaningful reform, our youths would have achieved a compound national success.
“First, they would have ended the terrible matter of institutionalized police brutality.
“Second, Nigeria would have made an important accretion to our political culture whereby government listened to and acted on the recommendations of ordinary people protesting against the wrongs done them.
“This would establish a healthy precedent. Yet such durable progress can be made only if government respects the protesters and protesters actively negotiate with government,’’ he said.
The APC leader said that government should not curtail protest activity as the people have chosen it as their preferred way to interface with government on issues.
