#EndSARS: A country at war with its youths

Adolphus Aletor, FCA, MCIB, a banker and finance analyst, is the managing director/CEO, Rigo Microfinance Bank; he can be reached on +2348033410380 (WhatsApp only) or jiyere@yahoo.com

This topic is a sensitive one that requires wisdom and tact to handle. So, for a long time, I have refrained from making any comments. However, recent development seems to point to a deteriorating relationship between the government and its youths. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, sent a commissioner to represent him in a recent event and instead of an ovation, he was embarrassed with a boo. Did the governor see this coming? I guess not, but why not? You do not give a punch in the stomach and ask if it is fine.

The #EndSARS report released after one year of inaugurating the panel has generated so much controversy that has led to mudslinging, blackmail and claims of threat to life. The government did not exercise restraint in responding to the findings and recommendations.  Unfortunately, just the way it bungled the handling of the crisis, it has also bungled the handling of the report. After one year of controversy, the content and conclusion of that report was the opportunity the government needed to heal the wounds of the youths and reconnect. It was carefully laid by the panel but regrettably, the government could not read in between the lines. They opted to sacrifice the peace, joy and happiness of their youths at the altar of self-interest and already tainted ego.

The #EndSARS incidence was a call for reform in major areas of governance. It wanted the government to address the following: Immediate release of all arrested protesters; Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensations for their families; Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reported police misconduct within 10 days; Carrying out psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS operatives before they can be deployed (this should be verified by an independent body); The government should increase police salary and they should adequately be compensated for protecting lives and property of the citizens. So, between October 8th and 20th, the Lekki Phase One tollgate was occupied. This occupation quickly spread around the country and youths gathered at every open space to put pressure on the government for reform. Mothers, grandmothers, individuals and corporates, made financial and material contributions to the course. A gathering validated by many, irrespective of age or gender.

But all of a sudden destruction set in! Police stations were burnt down, police officers hunted like animals, properties of politically exposed persons targeted for arson, businesses of innocent people attacked. Unverified videos emerged of organized deployment of chaos orchestrated with what many claimed to be government resources, as flimsy as the accusation may have seemed. In an attempt to stop the menace that President Muhammadu Buhari in one of his interviews claimed as an attempt to topple his government, the armed forces were invited to the Lekki tollgate. The rest is history.

The aftermath of the crises has not abated as businesses damaged during the incidence have not revived. A particular mall has remained shut since then due to the extent of the damage. The worst-hit is the insurance sector. Amid a regulatory recapitalization directive, the insurance companies are having to pay out huge sums as claims to #EndSARS affected businesses. Insurance value chain businesses have suffered low liquidity as their principal is now required to survive first. Several hundreds of jobs have been lost on account of the continued closure of those businesses and malls. Investors have had to take the hit as they quietly watch their investment in a docile state. Banks have had to accommodate business owners whose working capital source is a bank loan. Banks have continued to lose income, further shrinking the wealth of their shareholders as they continue to restructure, granting forbearance to borrowers whose businesses were affected. Everyone, one way or the other has lost in this crisis and no one is smiling. The pains are deep and call for healing.

In an attempt to heal this pain, the federal government ordered that a panel of enquiry be set up. They were to submit their report within six months but it was later extended to one year. In Lagos, on Monday, October 19, 2020, the Lagos State governor set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS-related Abuses, headed by Retired Justice Doris Okwuobi. During their inauguration, the governor gave the assurance that these were people of proven integrity and everyone should be rest assured that they will do their jobs with utmost diligence. He promised not to interfere with their work.

With several months gone and the report released, this same panel has come under intense criticism and condemnation. A panel of enquiry is made up of individuals who are jointly and severally responsible for the conclusions of the panel. So far, we have not heard of any dissenting voice, but taking them apart for ridicule is the worst form of appreciation to a set of people appointed to do a job for which they did not apply. I read a piece, questioning how one of the members rose to become a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a government official questioned his availability during the sittings. This panel lasted for one year! Why were these issues not raised earlier? Why wait till the report was released? The panel has done their job and served its nation. So whether their report is popular with the Federal Government/Lagos State or not, they deserve appreciation. These current attacks are capable of discouraging future participation by men of means when they become needed.

The#EndSARS crisis has not been fair to anyone especially when the reform pushed for has not been implemented. The government should focus on the crux of the crises and take a deliberate step to rally the youth rather than argue whether people died at the tollgate or not. People die in this country every day! Some were killed by accidental discharge from ammunition carried by law enforcement agents, some killed by convoys of government officials, some killed by the negligence of the government in providing infrastructure, some killed by governments inability to provide adequate security, which is a constitutional responsibility of government and a constitutional right of the citizen. No one is ever held responsible.

Many feel that the argument as to what happened at the tollgate is a ploy by the federal government to keep people engaged and distracted at these hard times. Many argue that the life that died at the tollgate is symbolic so should be treated as such. That argument may not hold because the life of Chibok girls and several girls kidnapped, raped, distorted destinies matters too. The life of those in Odi (an Ijaw town in Bayelsa state), the life of Bola Ige, Funsho Williams, Marshal Harry Dokubo, all matter.  No life is worth more than the other. If our government has never been known to take responsibility, why will Lekki tollgate incidence be an exception?

To consolidate the healing process, the Governor of Lagos State has called out to youths for a healing walk. While many commend his continued efforts and attempt to bond, others feel that it amounts to adding salt to injury. Informal circles query the rationale. There are indications that students of a particular higher institution located in Lagos and some individuals have agreed to walk with the Governor, but if what I heard while at the airport the other day is anything to go by, the general opinion is that the government should let sleeping dogs lie.