The Ekiti State governor and the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi has on Friday appealed to residents of the State, South-West and Nigeria at large to give room for peace. In a statement signed by the governor, he thanked the leadership of the protest movement in Ekiti state for calling off the protest adding that the import of the protest has been largely achieved.
He said the Presidential broadcast on Thursday is an acknowledgement of the EndSARS protesters’ demands noting that the federal government has banned the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS in response to the five demands made by the EndSARS movement, while those held in SARS detention centres have been released.
According to him, Ekiti state and many states of the federation has set up a Judicial panel of enquiry to look into the cases of abuses, extra-judicial acts and general misconduct which led to the protests while a restitution fund to compensate for the losses of the victims of such abuses is also established.
Governor Fayemi, who described the EndSARS protests as a wakeup call to all those in positions of responsibilities, however, announced the expansion of the Youth Development Council in Ekiti state to deepen the State’s engagement with youths to ensure the speedy implementation of the Ekiti Youth Agenda.
Fayemi added that security agencies have been instructed to exercise judicious restraint in response to the tense situation. He opined that the intention of his administration is to ensure peace.
Meanwhile, the governor warned hoodlums who might want to test the resolve of government by engaging in violent action leading to a breakdown of law and order to have a rethink adding that he wont hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against such errant conduct.
He also commiserates with those who have suffered losses as a result of wanton destruction that occurred in the state.
