Government’s response to #ENDSARS protests, mere tokenism?

Besides the global recognition #ENDSARS protests enjoy, government affiliates have waded in. Yet, the words of some of these officeholders still stand in stark dichotomy to some realities present. 

• Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that police brutality is annoying and unacceptable. Likewise, some key government officials have decried police brutality in the country;

• Recognising the #ENDSARS campaign, the Nigerian governor’s forum has resolved to activate a judicial panel of inquiry;

• But despite increasing promises by the government, security operatives continue to assault, brutalize, and kill protesters;

• Likewise, the Nigerian government reportedly instructed security operatives to open fire on peaceful protesters;

• There is no end in sight for the #ENDSARS protests.

No other protest in Nigeria has enjoyed as much support as the #ENDSARS protests. Since the protests, support has been mobilized from different fabrics of the society. Beyond the organic solidarity marches and ‘prayer walks’, the protests have also enjoyed significant financial donations. But perhaps what’s of moot is government officials demanding an end to police brutality. Its usefulness, however, remains to be seen.

VP’s Conner: Actions not words

The genesis of this movement, October 4, saw Vice President (VP), Yemi Osinbajo, voicing his disdain towards the human rights violations by law enforcement. Many, however, felt actions, not words should come from the distinguished lawyer. Not only should the seat of the VP command reform and not sentiment, but these words were characteristic of the Pastor. We recall similar instances of the VP expressing concerns on several of Nigeria’s challenges, ranging from rising population to religious killings, large exit of Nigerian doctors, economic hardship, or performing electricity distribution companies. Even the unending conversation of corruption did not miss his radar.

Solidarity Chants from the Government

Besides Pastor Osinbajo, other government officials also added their voices to the #ENDSARS movement. For example, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State recently decried police extortion and brutality in his state. Likewise, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege condemned the atrocities by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS); also revealing that he has been a victim of police brutality. More so, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has resolved to activate a judicial panel of inquiry; this panel will receive cases of police brutality by officers of the disbanded SARS unit.

Not only voiced opinions, but some governors have marched side-by-side with protesters. For instance, the Kwara State governor reportedly led a recent #ENDSARS match. The Lagos State governor also joined the protesters to march in Lagos. In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde assured the protesters of support. Also, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State reportedly committed some funds to the protests.

Villa Girls Wade in on protests

While some key figures in government have spoken to support the #ENDSARS protests, the protests have also seen the support of the children of the president and his vice. Using their Instagram pages, Zahra Buhari and Kiki Osinbajo lent their voices to the ongoing protests against police brutality in the country some days back.

Government’s Response to the #ENDSARS Protests

In reaction to the protests, the President Muhammadu Buhari noted that he has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address the concerns of Nigeria about police brutality. In response, the IGP disbanded SARS and committed to advancing police reforms. A new security outfit–the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) was then set up; the public, however, did not take kindly to this. The mandate of the newly established SWAT include response to robbery attacks, response to scenes of weapons-related crimes, rescue operations, and special operations involving high-profile criminals. Training of the newly constituted SWAT was said to have begun. In addition, the Presidential Panel on Police Reform has endorsed the five demands of #ENDSARS protesters.

Mere Tokenism?

The spate of events, however, speak contradicting volumes to the government’s would-be responses. Thus raising questions on the sincerity of the government to police reform in Nigeria. For example, while there has been some display of solidarity by people in government, security operatives have continued to assault, brutalize, and kill protesters. In fact, the Nigerian Senate has corroborated this by stating that despite the purported move towards police reform, police officers have continued to assault citizens. The most recent of these is the #LekkiMassacre, where security operatives, allegedly on government’s orders,  opened fire on peaceful protesters. This assault on these protesters has reportedly resulted in between 15 and 75 deaths.

By and large, there have been intimidation of peaceful protesters by miscreants, believed to be government sponsored. And across social media, evidence of targeted assaults on the protesters remain. Moreover, imposing a curfew which impedes citizen’s right to peaceful demonstration suggests insincerity from the government. Yet again in Nigeria’s national life, the commitment of the government to the people and their protection is in doubt. Perhaps the government’s purported commitment to police reform is mere tokenism after all!