The president, however, urged the youth not to allow hoodlums to hijack the protests and also begged for more time to meet their demands.
President
Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind the peaceful protest against
police brutality and calls for institutional reform in Nigeria.
The Minister
of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Monday, stated this after
briefing the President on the ongoing protests across the country.
Sunday Dare
quoted the president while speaking with State House correspondents after the
meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Mr.
President said the youths of this country have spoken and he has heard and he
has since gone to work for the youths of our country.
“The
President promised that he will ensure that the reforms he has promised are
met, he will make sure that the reforms are long-lasting and that the reforms
will deliver for our country a police force that we will be proud of.
“He
appreciates the fact that they have brought the SARS issues to the fore through
their peaceful protest.
“He
recognises the fact that they have called upon the government to do what is
necessary and that as the President and a father, he will make sure that the
demands as put forward are met.
“The
President said that as far as he is concerned, it’s important to allow the
younger generation to exercise the freedom to protest and make sure that such
protest is in a peaceful manner.
“He said that
part of the demands that were made is to make sure that those protesting are
protected and that any police officer that has in one way or the other attacked
any protesters be brought to book.
“So the
President thinks it’s a fundamental right, he thinks so long as the protest is
peaceful and focused.
“He believes
that the youths of this country have the right to demand certain things,”
Sunday Dare said.
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