By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called on Nigerian youths to be patient with the government as the demands of the #EndSARS protesters were being implemented by the Federal Government.
The Etsu Nupe spoke to newsmen in his Wadata Palace, Bida, on Tuesday, while commenting on the prevailing security situation in the country, arising from the recent violent #EndSARS protests, especially in the southern parts of the country.
According to the Royal Father, the initiators of the protests had good intentions, but regretted that, the protests were later hijacked by the enemies of peace, unity and socioeconomic progress of Nigeria.
Abubakar further wondered why the protests turned violent and destructive, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, as well as the destruction of both private and public properties.
The Etsu Nupe, who described the youths as the future leaders of the country, admonished them not to allow themselves to be used by some egocentric and unpatriotic disgruntled elements to cause a breach of the peace of the country.
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He said, “ People are free to protest, it is a democratic right . What is however needed is that they should be peaceful.”
The Etsu Nupe added, “they should not have allowed people with ulterior motives to hijack the protests . We do not have any other country than Nigeria.”
The monarch also urged the youths to rather channel their energies to positive usage, for the common good of the country.
The traditional ruler appealed to the youths to remain calm, law-abiding and give peace a chance.
“However, for the government to be able to implement all your demands, they need an atmosphere of peace and security,”Alhaji Abubakar stressed.
He said that, government cannot make progress in an atmosphere of rancour, when public buildings were being torched, roads being blocked and when innocent citizens were not allowed to go about their lawful businesses.
“I urge our youths to please leave the streets, sheathe their swords and monitor the responses from the government.”
The Etsu Nupe however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt and proactive response to the protests and their aftermaths, saying that, he was confident that, the country will soon come out of the current quagmire.
Alhaji Abubakar appealed to the adherents of the two major religions in the country, Islam and Christianity, to intensify fervent prayers for the return of permanent peace in Nigeria.
According to him, prayer remains the most potent weapon against any form of challenges.
The Royal Father also maintained that, the current security challenges posed by the hoodlums who have hijacked the good intention of the #EndSARS protesters would soon be overcome, through ceaseless and fervent prayers.
The monarch further explained that, with prayers the current security, socio-economic and other challenges facing the country can be solved divinely.
He urged religious clerics in the country to offer prayers for the Almighty God to provide sustainable solutions to the problems plaguing the country.
“Prayers by our clerics at this point in time will help our leaders and the security agents to overcome all these devilish acts that are bedeviling our country.” he said.
