The Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger state Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called on Nigerian youths to be patient with government as the demands of the #EndSARS protesters are being implemented by the federal government.
The Etsu Nupe spoke to newsmen in his Wadata Palace, Bida, on Tuesday, while commenting on the prevailing security situation in the country, arising from the recent violent #EndSARS protests, especially in the southern parts of the country.
The royal father said the initiators of the protests had good intentions, but regretted that the protests were later hijacked by enemies of peace, unity and socio-economic progress of Nigeria.
Abubakar wondered why the protests turned violent and destructive, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, as well as the destruction of both private and public properties.
The Etsu Nupe described the youths as the future leaders of the country and admonished them not to allow themselves to be used by some egocentric and unpatriotic elements to cause a breach of the peace of the country.
He said, “People are free to protest, it is a democratic right. What is, however needed is that they should be peaceful.
“They should not have allowed people with ulterior motives to hijack the protests. We do not have any other country than Nigeria.”
The monarch also urged the youths to channel their energies to positive usage, for the common good of the country.
The traditional ruler appealed to the youths to remain calm, law-abiding and give peace a chance.
“However, for the government to be able to implement all your demands, they need an atmosphere of peace and security,” Alhaji Abubakar stressed.
He said government cannot make progress in an atmosphere of rancour, when public buildings were being torched, roads blocked and innocent citizens not allowed to go about their lawful businesses.
