Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against using force to quell protests demanding the reform of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The advise is contained in a statement issued today by the opposition leader, wherein he also called on the president to address Nigerians, a similar call made by the Nigerian Senate.
It comes hours after Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, asked protesters to shelve actions or be forcefully suppressed.
Mr Abubakar popularly known as Atiku stated this amidst escalation of peaceful demonstrations to violent confrontations and attacks against nationwide protests than has entered its third week.
In his warning, he expressed sadness over the loss of lives saying the use of force will worsen the situation.
“I am saddened by the loss of lives following the infiltration of hoodlums in the #EndSARS peaceful protests,” Atiku wrote.
“My appeal to the government of
@MBuhari is that he must not succumb to the temptation to use further maximum force on #EndSARS protesters.
“The #EndSARS protesters are not unreasonable; they mean well and acted responsibly. This is the time to appeal to their reason by speedily implementing their reasonable demands. The use of maximum force will aggravate, rather than placate.
“When government shows that it cares, the citizens will fare well. Now is the time to apply reason, rather than brute force.
“And on that basis, I urge
@MBuhari to talk to the nation, and particularly the youth of Nigeria,” he added.
