PRESS STATEMENT: LAI MOHAMMED’S STATEMENT ON #ENDSARS AND LEKKI MASSACRE IS ONE INSULT, TOO MANY
AAC DESCRIBES IT AS IRRESPONSIBLE AND IT CONFIRMS OUR POSITION THAT THE BUHARI REGIME IS TERRORISTIC
#ENDSARSMEMORIAL: WHY THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA MUST PRESS ON UNTIL JUSTICE IS SERVED.
The attention of our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) has been drawn to a statement credited to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed which was issued in Abuja today 20/10/2021, which marks the anniversary of the grossly unfortunate Lekki shooting that claimed lives of over 50 Nigerians, left many young Nigerians permanently injured and threw many homes into a grieving mood for life.
Rather than share consolations and seek restitution, after accepting the ignominious role it played in quelling the most organized civil disobedience in recent history, as it is expected of a government in the 21st century, the regime has shown maximum recalcitrance; such that reeks of corruption and a megalomaniac posture.
Reading through the gaffe Lai issued as a statement, no one would argue that the sole intention of the Minister was to protect by all means necessary the face of the regime from local and international shame because it has lost out on the debate. He failed woefully.
The description of the massacre as “phantom” by the infamous Minister of “misinformation” is the highest form of insensitivity and irresponsibility any government official could show at a time like this. Not even on a day when the largest demography- the youths, are remembering their loved ones who were slain for standing up for their fundamental human rights; in particular, their right to life.
The AAC as a revolutionary party would do all that is possible not to allow history to be distorted right before our eyes.
The EndSARS protest that lasted over 12 days witnessed massive participation from both the young and elderly, wherein the young people showed to the world how organized Nigerians are, when there is a unity of purpose. Rallies, marches, even concerts were held nationally peacefully until the government Lai represents showed up in its usual oppressive and suppressive style.
We all saw how government vehicles ferried armed thugs to disrupt the protest grounds across states after the Police failed in the assigned repression. In Lagos, air-conditioned buses were used to move those who would cause a mayhem and despite their faces being exposed everywhere on social media, no arrest was made.
Vehicles with FGN-number plate were offloading thugs while men dressed in outfits similar to the DSS’s were seen supervising their onslaught on protesting citizens. This brings us to the conclusion that the government was the sole purveyor of violence during EndSARS protests. This remains so, even today.
It is important to cast our minds back to the statement of President Muhammadu Buhari when he was asked about the #EndSARS protests by journalists. The President shamelessly declared that the young people wanted to chase him out of office. Doesn’t it call for concern that the President’s understanding of a protest of such magnitude, armed only with clear demands was reduced to a planned coup?
What was/is the President afraid of?
This brings us to an inference that a leopard can not change its spots. A coupist, no matter how branded as a “reformed democrat” would continue to think like a coupist.
Nigerians do not need a soothsayer to tell where the order to attack those peacefully gathered at Lekki toll gate on the 20th of October 2020, came from.
And in a manner so similar of how global terrorists operate, the Nigerian government through the Army and Police unleashed the most dastardly terror on citizens on the 20th October, 2020.
To put it in proper perspective without undue verbosity is the fact that the many lies and distortions told, first by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Sanwoolu, the truant Army representative at the Panel of Restitution set up, Brigadier General Ahmed Taiwo, the Police representative, ACP Oludotun Odubona Government lawyers and forensics analyst, have confirmed all the truth about how the massacre was planned and executed.
The African Action Congress (AAC) condemns in strongest terms the statement of the Minister; describes it as insensitive, irresponsible and a concoction of cheap lies.
Now to our demands.
1. We ask that the Minister withdraws his gaffe and start preparing his resignation letter, as the party would not hesitate to mobilize Nigerians far and wide to force such. Nigerians have had enough of the insults from Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his goons.
2. That the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President start without any further delay, the compensation to victims of SARS brutality as recommended by the State panels.
3. Immediate arrest and open prosecution of erring SARS officers including one CSP James Nwafor who has been on the run since the protests started.
4. That the Lekki Massacre Panel report should be concluded and made public in the shortest possible time by the Lagos Restitution Panel.
5. That all EndSARS and Post-EndSARS protesters (over 300 of them) including political prisoners be released immediately and unconditionally. This executive rascality must not be allowed to continue in a democracy.
6. An apology to be made by President Muhammadu Buhari to all Nigerians who participated in #EndSARS for the role his regime played in disrespecting the rights to associate and express opinions freely; without intimidation and violent repression, as seen one year ago.
We would like to conclude with the position which we have always maintained, that until the Buhari regime and the exploitative system that produce and continue to breathe oxygen into all forms of brutalities, including economic brutality, are blotted out by the people, there would be no meaningful conclusion to our sufferings.
Signed:
Femi Adeyeye
National Publicity Secretary.
10/20/2021
AAC DESCRIBES IT AS IRRESPONSIBLE AND IT CONFIRMS OUR POSITION THAT THE BUHARI REGIME IS TERRORISTIC
#ENDSARSMEMORIAL: WHY THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA MUST PRESS ON UNTIL JUSTICE IS SERVED.
The attention of our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) has been drawn to a statement credited to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed which was issued in Abuja today 20/10/2021, which marks the anniversary of the grossly unfortunate Lekki shooting that claimed lives of over 50 Nigerians, left many young Nigerians permanently injured and threw many homes into a grieving mood for life.
Rather than share consolations and seek restitution, after accepting the ignominious role it played in quelling the most organized civil disobedience in recent history, as it is expected of a government in the 21st century, the regime has shown maximum recalcitrance; such that reeks of corruption and a megalomaniac posture.
Reading through the gaffe Lai issued as a statement, no one would argue that the sole intention of the Minister was to protect by all means necessary the face of the regime from local and international shame because it has lost out on the debate. He failed woefully.
The description of the massacre as “phantom” by the infamous Minister of “misinformation” is the highest form of insensitivity and irresponsibility any government official could show at a time like this. Not even on a day when the largest demography- the youths, are remembering their loved ones who were slain for standing up for their fundamental human rights; in particular, their right to life.
The AAC as a revolutionary party would do all that is possible not to allow history to be distorted right before our eyes.
The EndSARS protest that lasted over 12 days witnessed massive participation from both the young and elderly, wherein the young people showed to the world how organized Nigerians are, when there is a unity of purpose. Rallies, marches, even concerts were held nationally peacefully until the government Lai represents showed up in its usual oppressive and suppressive style.
We all saw how government vehicles ferried armed thugs to disrupt the protest grounds across states after the Police failed in the assigned repression. In Lagos, air-conditioned buses were used to move those who would cause a mayhem and despite their faces being exposed everywhere on social media, no arrest was made.
Vehicles with FGN-number plate were offloading thugs while men dressed in outfits similar to the DSS’s were seen supervising their onslaught on protesting citizens. This brings us to the conclusion that the government was the sole purveyor of violence during EndSARS protests. This remains so, even today.
It is important to cast our minds back to the statement of President Muhammadu Buhari when he was asked about the #EndSARS protests by journalists. The President shamelessly declared that the young people wanted to chase him out of office. Doesn’t it call for concern that the President’s understanding of a protest of such magnitude, armed only with clear demands was reduced to a planned coup?
What was/is the President afraid of?
This brings us to an inference that a leopard can not change its spots. A coupist, no matter how branded as a “reformed democrat” would continue to think like a coupist.
Nigerians do not need a soothsayer to tell where the order to attack those peacefully gathered at Lekki toll gate on the 20th of October 2020, came from.
And in a manner so similar of how global terrorists operate, the Nigerian government through the Army and Police unleashed the most dastardly terror on citizens on the 20th October, 2020.
To put it in proper perspective without undue verbosity is the fact that the many lies and distortions told, first by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Sanwoolu, the truant Army representative at the Panel of Restitution set up, Brigadier General Ahmed Taiwo, the Police representative, ACP Oludotun Odubona Government lawyers and forensics analyst, have confirmed all the truth about how the massacre was planned and executed.
The African Action Congress (AAC) condemns in strongest terms the statement of the Minister; describes it as insensitive, irresponsible and a concoction of cheap lies.
Now to our demands.
1. We ask that the Minister withdraws his gaffe and start preparing his resignation letter, as the party would not hesitate to mobilize Nigerians far and wide to force such. Nigerians have had enough of the insults from Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his goons.
2. That the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President start without any further delay, the compensation to victims of SARS brutality as recommended by the State panels.
3. Immediate arrest and open prosecution of erring SARS officers including one CSP James Nwafor who has been on the run since the protests started.
4. That the Lekki Massacre Panel report should be concluded and made public in the shortest possible time by the Lagos Restitution Panel.
5. That all EndSARS and Post-EndSARS protesters (over 300 of them) including political prisoners be released immediately and unconditionally. This executive rascality must not be allowed to continue in a democracy.
6. An apology to be made by President Muhammadu Buhari to all Nigerians who participated in #EndSARS for the role his regime played in disrespecting the rights to associate and express opinions freely; without intimidation and violent repression, as seen one year ago.
We would like to conclude with the position which we have always maintained, that until the Buhari regime and the exploitative system that produce and continue to breathe oxygen into all forms of brutalities, including economic brutality, are blotted out by the people, there would be no meaningful conclusion to our sufferings.
Signed:
Femi Adeyeye
National Publicity Secretary.
10/20/2021
