It’s a bad thing the #EndSARS protests turned violent. I stand against the destruction of lives and property.
The government should have handled the initial protests with more tact; leadership is responsible for the people regardless of their comportment at any instance.
I take the case of a parent: you remain responsible for your child when he aligns with your instructions, and especially when he is in protest. The true duty of one’s leadership, then, is to steer him aright. I’ll rest the analogy.
Reasonable agitations are not resolved or put down by force, manipulation, or propaganda. Sores do not disappear when covered, they may become invisible as they fester beneath. Ultimately, the hidden is exposed.
The Lekki attack is evidence of that misconstrued notion that violence is the firm solution to civil issues.
I think this violence is from a lack of ideas. It reminds me of a bully responding to a mental challenge with his fist.
Water will find its course.
A good cause can be suppressed but for a while, pressure builds until it finds an outlet.
Is it not better to adopt these real issues and begin to address them proactively?
And, ah, I’m not talking about throwing money at problems. I’m talking about implementing truth, justice, transparency, equity, goodness throughout the society such that the recurring promises in election manifestoes become done, once and for posterity.
When I think about it, the issue on the ground is deeper than an issue with the police. It is a leadership and governance issue; it is a cultural issue.
Can we have leaders with good values who can govern with truth and integrity? Can we reform our society to one where equity and justice and peace reign?
Again, the issue is not the youth vs. the government. It is about a people, all Nigerians, albeit represented by young people asking our leaders to begin to do right in a nation God has endowed with the capacity to do so.
No government official should play that youth rhetoric anymore; it is tricky and dishonest.
