Joe Effiong, Uyo
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah has asked Nigerian government at all levels to rise to fix the nation, and guarantee secured future for the now restive youth, before it is too late.
The elder statesman who said this while addressing a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Akwa Ibom State Council, Uyo, on Friday, observed that the events which enveloped Nigeria with thick gloom over the last three weeks were not ethnic, religious or by any means sectional.
He said; “Today, from every part of this country, the South-South, West, East, Mddle Belt, North and indeed the Far North, more voices have risen and combined into a thunderous national crescendo call for a rebirth.
“In every part of this country today, the urgent and compelling need for such a change has been acknowledged and endorsed. My plea, my passionate plea to the government is to please do something now before it is too late.
“Let us not wait for people to come out on the street to press their demand for change. God forbid, if that should happen, there would be no holding back. it would spell the beginning of an end”.
Obong Attah however charged the youths to continue to rally in strong defence of their inheritance and to be totally united in their condemnation of all manner of unethical behaviour and hooliganism that can lead to the destruction of personal and public property.
He expressed shock that the Nigeria police that have won several acclaims and accolades during peace keeping missions abroad, could exhibit such abominably unacceptable behaviour at home.
“I know that public resentment to police brutality, particularly SARS, is not a sudden thing, it has been building up. In response, the federal government set up in 2018, a presidential panel on SARS reforms.
“After thorough investigation, the panel recommended the sacking of 37 police officers, and the prosecution of 24 others. The panel further tasked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to unravel the identity of 22 other officers involved in the violation of human rights of innocent citizens. To the best of my knowledge, no effect has been given to the panel’s report”. he said
He regretted that the nation’s youths were shot and killed for seeking a change in the social order, for seeking a better future for themselves, “which we the elders have denied them”.