The Executive Governor of Ekiti State & Chairman, NGF, Kayode Fayemi
By MBAFAN ADE, Abuja –
Governors of the 36 states, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), rose from an emergency meeting on Sunday, with a resolve to activate a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to receive all cases of police brutality by officers of the disbanded SARS Unit.
Each State is also expected to kickstart a compensation mechanism for all victims.
In a communique issued at the end of its 20th Teleconference emergency meeting, the NGF, after deliberating extensively on the nationwide protests, riots and demonstrations, however condemned the attack on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State by armed persons while he was addressing anti-police brutality protesters in the state capital Osogbo.
The communiques, which was signed by Ekiti state Governor and Chairman of the NGF, Kayode Fayemi, encouraged protesters to engage with the government appropriately at both the national and State level to ensure that the protests are not taken over by hoodlums who are instigating a breakdown in law and order in many parts of the country.
The governors also endorsed the call by demonstrators for improved governance predicated on an enforcement regime that takes into cognizance the fundamental human rights and liberties of all citizens in the country;
They further resolved to act on all the Demands made by the EndSARS protesters raising some concerns with the shifting nature of the demands which creates uncertainty on the exact expectations and ultimate goal;
The NGF appealed for the call off of protests as a continuation grossly exposes the fragile economic fundamentals of the country; particularly as criminal elements and hoodlums have hijacked the protests by maiming innocent citizens, looting and destroying properties.