“`”Peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government, and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.” – Seyi Makinde on Oct. 12, 2020“`

While so many questions remain unanswered till today two years after the Nationwide EndSars protest of frustrated youths against the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Department of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian youths remain committed to the religious observance of the day in grief of the lives accounted to be lost during the protest.

Several evidences have confirmed some of these excesses, and the cruel disposition of some members of the Police Force even during the protests to express dissatisfaction and call for justice; amongst these evident instances was the demise of Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso area of Oyo State, in the hands of trigger happy police men revolting against peaceful protesters in the area.

Another instance was the false accusation of 23 year old Samuel Ogundeji for theft, and was brutalised to the point of blindness by the defunct SARS operatives.

So, it will be unfair and equally unjust to claim that there were no excesses that led to a protest or that there were no casualties from the protests.

It will equally be bias to shy away from the maiming and killings of some police officers by supposed protesters, particularly at Ojoo and Iseyin areas of Oyo State.

So, we can altogether conclude that each party had bad eggs and evil perpetrators of activities completely contrary to the intentions of their responsibilities, obligations and/or rights.

It is however now necessary for an intermediary body to mediate between the two bodies to ensure tolerance, peace, tranquility and collaboration; thus the expectation on the Government to devise unbiased resolution.

To the uttermost disappointment of most people, the Government has not been fair in this hearing, as there are still blatant denial of the casualties that ensued from these occurrences, and there had been no justice meted out to most of the victims, as there are even claims that there are no victims or as not as numbered as suggested, except that the department of the Nigerian Police was disbanded, at least, as a circular insinuates.

However, this disposition of the Government is a different case in Oyo State as Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, being one of the ardent propagator of restructuring in the country, understands the fundamental defects of some institutions and as such has continue to call for community policing as a way to correct the Nigerian Police Force in particular.

According to him, it is very important for the Police to be friends with the community they are assigned(not just in words or on some paper); to identify with them, and should mostly be citizens of such communities too.

In his opinion, identifying the problem is the only first way to solve the problem; and that there is always every need for the government to have constructive engagement with the people.

These dispositions were not just in words, as he once took to the streets to identify with the protesting youths, visited and offered reliefs to victims and their families.

Not only to the protesters and victims, in his unbiased disposition, he regarded the police officers as citizens too, and as such be treated as citizens; recommending reliefs to them, rebuilding their stations, and donating gadgets to them.

This is the disposition expected of quality leadership and what every State and the nation at large needs for the Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress we envisage.

Apparently, Governor Seyi Makinde is the deal who has not only lived up to expectations in infrastructural and economic development, but has shown intelligence in policies and engagements.

As much as these attributes should not be demanding of applauds, we can’t fail to offer them to someone who has demonstrated them in a country where they are lacking.

Seyi Makinde is undoubtedly a different breed and deserves to be retained as Governor of Oyo State, as we look forward to seeing him at greater positions of responsibility.

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