#EndSARS: I Won’t Tolerate Subversive Elements, Buhari Warns

– Keeps Mum On Lekki Killings

– Says No Past Govt Performed Better Than His In Addressing Poverty, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to improve on good governance in the country, while keeping Nigeria together.

He warned that he would not compromise the unity of the country by allowing those he called “subversive” elements to cause chaos in the name of protests.

The President who made a broadcast to the nation on Thursday night, spoke in a reaction to the fallout of the #EndSARS protests, which had snow-balled into violence and killings by security forces in Lekki, Lagos, on Tuesday nights.

Incidentally, Buhari did not make a mention of the Lekki incident in the broadcast, though he spoke generally on attempts by persons with alleged hidden motives to infiltrate the ranks of the protesters and pursue other agendas.

He stated, ” Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

“We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

“We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

” But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

” To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.
 
“In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
 
“For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.
 
“I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
 
“And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.
 
“I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.
 
“This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.”

Buhari praised his administration for listening and granting the demands of the protesters, which included the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and granting the five-point demands of the youths.

He also insisted that no government in the past had done better than his in improving living and addressing poverty.

Buhari noted that much of what he had done had been deliberately played down by opponents of his administration through “falsehood”, using especially, the social media.

He reeled out what he had done so far, thus, “The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.

“On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

” Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.  These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:
 
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.
 

13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;
    a. Farmermoni,
    b. Tradermoni,
    c. Marketmoni,
    d. N-Power,
    e. N-Tech and
    f. N-Agro.
     
    “No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.
     
    “With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
     
    “In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.