The ENDSARS Campaign, a movement across the nation championed mostly by Nigeria’s youngest citizens to demand an end to police brutality while calling for good governance may have come and gone but the ‘hidden tension’ it brought up to where it could be seen and treated will definitely take a long while to heal.
While the Editorial Board and entire management of Ika Weekly Newspaper mourn the huge human and material carnage that resulted from the avoidable incidence, and pray for happy repose of those that lost their lives to the ugly situation across the country, it is barefaced truth that the Nigerian state has not treated the youths, fairly since May 1999, when democracy re-emerged on the nation’s political surface. The situation is exacerbated by the current government with its mindless near-exclusion of the youth in government appointments and its inability to provide good governance.
Indeed, from the event of the past two decades, it is obvious that the youths have right to feel discouraged and disappointed with slow pace of development in the country. And one striking implication of this fundamental narrative is that the youths who engaged in actions such as this are not necessarily the creators of violence. What is happening is merely an important phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace that existed in the last two decades.
SEE ALSO:Â EDITORIAL:BEYOND THE EUPHORIA OF #ENDSARS CAMPAIGN
However, it is the Newspaper’s views that Nigerians, especially the youths should allow sanity prevail over emotion. Particularly as their ‘voices have been heard loud and clear’. This effort of yours has not only laid a solid foundation for a new Nigeria of our dreams but shall remain a reference point in the anal of Nigerian political history.
While this editorial comment provides too short a space to explain the importance of your effort in the last two weeks, it is spaced enough to note that it has thrust yet another responsibility on you, an extremely important destiny; to complete a process of socioeconomic rejuvenation of the nation which we have spent far too long a time to do.
SEE ALSO:Â VIEWPOINT: END SARS: WAR AGAINST LEAVES
To President Muhammadu Buhari, the State Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly Members and other political appointees, this is the time to recognize that great challenge facing the nations today is to solve this pressing problem of leadership crisis and bring into full realization the ideals and dreams for our democracy. How we deal with this crucial situation will determine how our political health as a nation and our prestige will be estimated by the global community.