Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has cautioned Nigeria’s political leaders not to criminalise EndSARS promoters and protesters over the recent protests across the country.
Okorocha, a serving Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, gave the caution during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House, Marina.
The former governor was in Lagos to condole with Governor Sanwo-Olu and the people of the state over the destruction of public and private properties and infrastructure during the EndSARS protest which was hijacked by hoodlums.
Okorocha, who stated that the EndSARS protest was a lesson for everyone, advised political leaders to take advantage of the outcome to rebuild and re-unite the country.
“Let me caution against demonising the youths who led the protests. There is no reason to criminalise the protesters in spite the violence that trailed their demonstration.
“The protesters’ demands are in good faith and I call on political leaders to embrace them as caring fathers,” he said.
The lawmaker extolled the courage and leadership qualities of Sanwo-Olu, saying the governor toed the path of peace.
He said: “I am here to commend the Governor Sanwo-Olu for the manner he has handled the entire scenario. The courage he displayed and the proactiveness we all witnessed, even at the risk of his life during the EndSARS crisis. He came out and engaged the youths where the protests were most intense. This is a rare show of leadership. I must commend Sanwo-Olu for that.
“Despite that the violence left untold devastation in Lagos, the governor has been toeing the path of peace. This is also commendable. The protest is a lesson for all of us; we must take the advantage of the outcome to rebuild and re-unite our country.
“I have no doubt that Lagos will come out of this stronger than it used to be, given Sanwo-Olu’s exemplary leadership in handling the issue.”
Okorocha, however, condemned the violence that trailed the protests, saying the mayhem in which several public assets were destroyed had robbed the future generations of valuable inheritance.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who also suffered personal losses in the violence, said all efforts were geared towards rebuilding the State and heal the wound opened by the destruction.
He noted that the coordinated arson drew Lagos a few steps backward, but said the State would emerge from the situation better than it was.
He reiterated that he was still in support of the agitations of the protesters and would work with them to realise their five-point demands.
Sanwo-Olu thanked Senator Okorocha for the visit, promising that Lagos would continue to be melting pot for all ethnic nationalities.
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