Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director of the Adoration Ministry of Nigeria (AMEN) has warned against politicising the demands of the youths who called for the scrapping of police brutal squad last year.
Youths last year took to the streets across the nation, demonstrating and demanding extensive police reforms including the abolishment of now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under the control of the federal government.
The protesters presented their demands to the government, some of which has been met by dissolving the force unit accused of brutality; setting up of probe panels; prosecution of defaulting officers and release of all arrested protesters.
Before the nationwide actions abruptly ended on October 20, military personnel swooped on demonstrators at the Lekki tollgate and opened live rounds on them.
While the military action was still being condemned both internationally, the government went after leaders of the protests. A no-fly list was alleged generated and targeted against the protest leaders who also had their bank accounts frozen on alleged funding of terrorism.
Warning the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari, the catholic cleric said the demands of the youths shouldn’t be politicised else there be consequences.
He warned that should the lukewarm attitude continue and the youths are forced to rise again, any attempt to stop them will end the government.
“The Holy Spirit of God asked me to warn the government of the day to be very careful; to change policies and take care of the youths without politicising their (youths’) condition,” The Nation quoted Mbaka as saying during the 2020 edition of his popular annual December 31 Crossover Night ministration in Enugu State.
“That the government should rise and urgently create jobs and innovate opportunities that would benefit the youths of the nation because they have suffered so much.
“Don’t politicise the condition of the youths, otherwise, they will arise and end the political system.
“Should the government fail to do so as soon as possible that time is coming when the youths will rise against the government, and that any attempt to stop them will end the government.
“I can see a year ahead; it is not specific whether it is in 2021 that this will happen, but it is within a time in the time of life, that the anger of God will befall many people in the political circle because they have looted so much and disgraced this nation enough.
“Those who should be serving the country have looted the country dry for their personal aggrandisement, such that our children and grandchildren no longer have a future,” he said and warned politicians stealing from the nation’s treasury to henceforth desist.
