The National Democratic Congress’ spokesperson on Zongo and Muslim Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Naziru believes Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should have spoken about Nigeria’s #EndSARS impasse a bit earlier than he did.
A protest for police and governance reforms in Nigeria led by the youth turned bloody on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, when security operatives allegedly opened fire on the protestors.
This has led to many people calling on President Akufo-Addo as the ECOWAS chair to swiftly act on the matter to curtail the further loss of lives and destruction of properties.
But President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, called on the Government of Nigeria and the protestors to use dialogue in addressing the impasse.
He also said he has spoken to President Buhari, and he is committed to helping to resolve the ongoing stand-off.
“I join all well-meaning persons in calling for calm and the use of dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria. I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform.”
“Violence, be it on the part of the Police or protesters, cannot be the solution. To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery. #EndSARS”
However, Mr. Naziru insisted that President Akufo-Addo’s delay in speaking on the impasse is unfortunate.
He urged the government to take issues of Nigeria seriously adding that Ghana stands to lose largely should the issue persist.
“The President’s (Akufo-Addo) delay in speaking on the Nigeria impasse is very unfortunate especially if we consider the strategic position Nigeria plays with Ghana in the area of economy, in the area of power supply and because of our common language amongst French-speaking countries. Nigeria’s market is something entire West Africa is proud of and for that matter, we should manage the country with care.”
“I expected that we shouldn’t have waited for America’s, the UN to speak on the issue before we hear our President who is also the ECOWAS Chair add his voice. So the delay on his part is very unfortunate.”
He made these comments when he appeared on the news review segment of Citi TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
