Lagos, Rivers and Anambra State have supported the ongoing ENDSARS and police brutality campaign in their states. These states have many things in common though they differ in political leaning and ideologies. They are being governed by diverse political parties. Lagos is a core APC state, Rivers State is a PDP State while Anambra is APGA state and that is where the differences end. Now we are done with the differences can we look at the common grounds these states of the federation find themselves or what they share and have in common.
These states are located in Southern Nigeria, Lagos is in South Western part, while the River State is at the South-Southern part of Niger Delta Region while Anambra State is in Core South Eastern part of the country. These states have demonstrated efficiency and prudency in managing the affairs of their states. Building infrastructures, posting great reserves and also, they can be said to be the most progressive states in the region infrastructurally, educationally and security wise.
The governors of these states understand that the workforce of their state are being powered by the youths and critical demography tilts towards the youths, they have shown commitment in building a youthful ecosystem that would enable the youths thrives especially in the areas of start-up ecosystem. They understand that youths are the future of the states and they must as a fact key into their ideologies as we have seen these states lending their voice to the ENDSARS campaign.
Unlike most governors in the region, the trio have shown that they understand the plight of their various states and what it means to have a thriving youth population devoid of harassment. Speaking via their various social media handle they have physically and otherwise lent their voice in support and in tune with the protest. Sanwo Olu via his twitter twitted “I strongly condemn the attack of peaceful protesters by armed and unscrupulous elements trying to cause chaos in Alausa today.My government will never tolerate the attack of protesters. Security agents will immediately protect peaceful protesters from miscreants. I have received reports involving a bus in our state bus service. Our buses will never be involved in such activities and I have instructed the state team to get to the root of it. I will address our residents live today on developments.”
He added” I understand the atmosphere of distrust in which things are happening and how rapidly the situation has escalated, but I need to let every Lagosian understand that our government believes firmly in democratic ideals and will continue to act in accordance with our belief.”
On the part of Wike, the governor of Rivers State, though he was of the opinion that the protest shouldn’t happen in his state but he later changed his mind and addressed the youth during the protest citing that he has been at the forefront of abolition of SARS officials in his state. In his words “If we do not reform the police, the same SARS officers will be deployed to other units of the force to continue their evil acts…SARS cannot and has never been our friend in Rivers State. They killed a lecturer at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic without a cause and people kept quiet.”
He added ““When we raised the alarm over the killings of Rivers people by SARS operatives, nobody listened to us as they said I was playing politics with it.No governor saw the need to speak out against that evil. That was because it was not happening in their states. Now the evil of SARS has touched them, they want everybody to join.”
On the part of Willie Obiano, the present Governor of Anambra State, he said “Today, I joined youths of our dear State to say #EndPoliceBrutality and I support them because they did not only vote and defend their votes in my 21-over-21 victory but all their requests are genuine and germane; and I oblige to honour them all.”
On the trigger-happy policeman called James Nwafor, the governor opined that “”James Nwafor, former OC SARS in Anambra State is sacked and will be prosecuted; I’ll ensure that the Presidency does the needful to ensure a better life for our youths, for us, ndi Anambra and for our nation.”
These three governors of the progressive states of the youths have shown that they understand the need for the security of lives and property and also put themselves in the shoes of the youths during this #EndSARS.
Anthony Emeka Nwosu
“Today, I joined youths of our dear State to say #EndPoliceBrutality and I support them because they did not only vote and defend their votes in my 21-over-21 victory but all their requests are genuine and germane; and I oblige to honour them all.”
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