A pan-Yoruba self-determination organisation, Coalition of Yoruba Self-Determination Group (COSEG), has said that the demands of the protesting youth against police brutality #EndSARS, should go beyond mere reformation of the agency if result of the exercise must worth its importance.
The group made the remark in a communiqué issued Monday after an emergency leadership of the General Assembly meeting, where several issues suspected to have been impeding the progress of Nigeria were tabled and discussed.
The communique, which was jointly signed by, Comrades Razaq Olokoba (Convener) Akin Abosanyin (Secretary), and Wale Balogun (Political Secretary), said the meeting discussed among other burning issues, the Yoruba nation’s continued membership of Nigeria.
The communiqué therefore put forward an 8-points issues thus:
1). We, in the COSEG condemn in strong terms the shooting of peaceful protesters by the police.
2). We condemn also in totality the arrest and detention of unarmed protesters and demand for their unconditional release, as they have only exercised their constitutional rights as enshrined in all international conventions of which Nigeria is signatory.
3) We observe that a mere transmutation of a SARS to ‘SWAT’ in itself cannot resolve the issue, because it is only a reflection of the desire of the ruling Hausa/ Fulani oligarchy. So, COSEG, therefore, immediately calls for Regional/ Community Police whose authorities are not centralised hence not subjected to the whims and caprices of an IGP.
4) That in the main time, COSEG shall continue to align with any movement of the people that may be ready to push the on-going protest beyond EndSARS to include among others like EndPoverty, EndEstimated Bills, EndFuel/Electricity price hike, EndIMF and EndHumongous and unpatriotic salaries for the members of our parliament
5) That COSEG shall only continue to support but will actively participate in all efforts aimed at enforcement of the constitution to the point where Self-Determination of Yoruba nation remains a burning issue on all international platforms, even as we can no longer sleep with both eyes closed as oppressed people in Nigeria.
6) COSEG therefore enjoins the oppressed captive Yoruba people in Nigeria to intensify mobilisation towards their self-determination, in affirmation that it is our right to do so.
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7) That the Yoruba nation has lost confidence in the National Assembly to come up with any constitutional reforms that could guarantee our quest for Self-Determination, therefore we stick to our demand, a restructured to enhance rapid growth and accelerated development of each region.
8) That COSEG is watching very closely the actions and retrogressive echoes of those clamouring for Military actions against unarmed protesters across Nigeria and those primitively calling for a return of the Military, both share equal barbarity.
In addition, the pro-democracy and human rights organisation warned undemocratic elements in the country to stay clear of the protest explaining that the exercise is not a divisive actions but an avenue to seek for a better Nigeria, warning also, the protesters against unruly acts that could erase the gains already recorded through decorum.
In conclusion, the group commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for the mature handling of the peaceful protesters and some other related burning issues in the state including the Covid-19 pandemic, urging him to begin to strategise towards a post Covid-19 pandemic Lagos State economy.
