Nigeria Not At War, Gani Adams Cautions Buhari Against Use Of Military Force Against ENDSARS Protesters

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against the use of military force on Nigerians protesting against police brutality and sundry issues of bad governance.

In an open letter to President Buhari on Sunday, Adams said it was wrong to give the impression that Nigeria was at war with its citizens, while urging him to by all means promote and defend democratic culture in the country.

“It is wrong to give the impression that Nigeria is at war with its citizens. We must do everything to promote and defend democratic culture,” the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland noted.

“I condemn violence in all forms. I strongly condemn the actions of some security operatives that murdered the protesters.

“The list available to me shows 20 people have been killed across the country. I also condemn in the most profound manner the killing of any protester or the killing of any security official associated with the protests.”

Adams further warned that the government must not adopt violence as a response to violence, insisting that it is not an option.

“I saw clips of the attack on the convoy of the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Gboyega Oyetola. This is distasteful. In the same way I condemn the violent attacks on the convoy of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi. It’s unfortunate that the incidence in Osun led to avoidable deaths,” he noted.

“The police should not just be reformed, it should be transformed. This is the time for you to work with the National Assembly to establish State and community policing system in line with the fundamental principles of federalism. You have a golden opportunity to do this. Go ahead and take the bull by the horn and save Nigeria from the potential of horrendous evil of a garrison state.”

Although the Nigerian Army Sunday, clarified that its ‘operation crocodile smile’ was not targeted at ENDSARS protesters. However, at strategic locations in Abuja, the nation’s capital, some Army personnel were seen conducting stop and search exercise and preventing gatherings of people.

In Lagos, the ENDSARS protesters blocked access to the Alausa Secretariat, preventing workers from carrying out their official duties.