Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has appealed to protesting youths in Delta to end street protest as he held President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress responsible for failure to provide credible leadership anchored on social justice, equity and rule of law.
Executive Assistant to the Governor on Communications, Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, on behalf of the state Governor made the appeal at the weekend while speaking at two separate platforms as special guest on DBS TV Pep Show and Crown FM Current Affairs programme aired and was monitored by our Correspondent in Asaba.
The EAC said Gov Okowa has taken proactive steps to probe the vexed issues of alleged police brutality, extra judicial killings, extortion, harassment and intimidation; by constituting a judicial panel of enquiry, which the governor will on Monday October 19, 2020 inaugurate at the Exco Chambers, and thereafter swing into action.
He said the Panel’s terms of reference contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chiedu Ibie Esq, include; to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra–judicial killings in the state from victims of the disbanded Special Anti–Robbery Squad (SARS) or any other police unit, with a view to ascertaining their validity; recommend compensation or other remedies appropriate for each case.
It follows that victims or family members of victims must provide credible and verifiable evidence that would enable the panel carryout their assigned responsibilities, and recommend appropriate actions including compensation for confirmed victims and/or their next of keen.
The EAC said the judicial panel of enquiry (8 members) has Justice Celestina Ogosi, a retired High Court Judge as Chairman. Other members of the panel as contained in the SSG’s statement are; AIG David Igbodo (retd), Mr Harrison Gwamnishu representing the youths, Comrade Godwin Oyovweadjebore representing students, Mr Freedom Atsepoyi and Ambassador Eris Jewo–Ibi representing the civil society groups and Mr Nicholas Osadolor representing the Human Rights Commission.
Oghenesivbe said that the prolonged nationwide protest by Nigerian youths is clear proof of system collapse and failure of President Mohammadu Burari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) national government to provide credible leadership anchored on social justice, equity, and rule of law, pointing out that Nigeria youths came to the realization that the CHANGE which the national government of the day promised Nigerians in 2015 was far from reality, a mere political propaganda and acute deception.
“The people have lost confidence in the APC national government and are doggedly demanding true CHANGE from system failure under President Buhari, to total socioeconomic overhaul, good governance and genuine change from clueless leadership to visionary leadership once offered Nigerians by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Throughout 16 years of PDP national government before the APC took over through a Democratic process in 2015, Nigeria youths did not at any material time protested against the federal government and in this magnitude and doggedness across the country.
“It follows that PDP national government did much more better in terms of good governance and was never insensitive to the plight of Nigerians and Nigeria youths.
“Whereas APC national government and President Buhari within 5 years ruined the nation’s economy, devalued the Naira through reckless forex policies, incurred monumental debts, failed to provide cheap and affordable electricity, doubled inflation and unemployment rates and finally dashed the hope of Nigerians, as can be seen from the nationwide youths protest against the APC national government and Mr President.
“I hereby appeal to Delta Youths to trust the proactive and result oriented leadership of the state Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, and end all manner of street protests. The Governor will on Monday October 19, constitute 8-member judicial panel of enquiry that will address their genuine demands, work out compensation for victims of police brutality in the state, and to also prevent future occurrence through effective monitoring of law enforcement personnel on duty,” Oghenesivbe said.
