• Friday, March 29, 2024
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BusinessDay

Buhari’s Ministers keep mum over killing of #EndSARS protesters

Federal Executive Council

Despite global uproar over the killing of defenseless protesters in Lagos and the current chaotic situation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the Federal Executive Council FEC on Wednesday kept mum on the ongoing killing of EndSARS Protesters.

The Ministers instead went ahead to make presentations on their memos and approvals granted by FEC.

The Cabinent meeting which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Mungonu, refused to make any reference to the killings by Soldiers in Lagos on Tuesday night, which has provoked the looting and burning of public properties in Lagos.

Physically present at the vitual Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, were Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Justice, Abubakar Malami, Works and Housing, Babtunde Fashola Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.

The killings also further heightened tension in Lagos as the youths have vowed not to give up.

The President had before the commencement of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC, issued a statement appealing to the protesters for calm.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who was at the Cabinet meeting and whose role it is to speak on such issues was said to have quietly dodged the regular briefing after the Council meeting to avoid answering questions on the crises.

Criminals and hoodlums hijacked the hitherto peaceful protests, looting and burning down houses in Lagos.

They resort to violence by the protesters is said to have been provoked by the killing of the protesters last night in Lagos by the Soldiers.

The looters turned their anger against some defenseless institutions, including looting the palace of the Oba of Lagos, even as they also burnt down the family house of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, on Wednesday.

The FEC which is the highest policy making body is usually responsible for setting policy direction and many, including the organized private sector look foward to their resolutions.

Elder Statesman, Tanko Yakassai who spoke with Businessday on the issue described the government silence as ” unhealthy” for the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.

” The silence has further heightened the suspicions that the government is actually sponsoring the Soldiers to kill innocent citizens and this is unhealthy for our nascent democracy.”

He however appealed to the protesters for calm adding that ” they have made their points, we cannot afford to lose more innocent lives.”