Tinubu not sponsoring #EndSARS protesters – Spokesman

 

BY FOLASHADE KEHINDE

NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has described reports that he is one of those sponsoring the ongoing #EndSARS protests in the country as the “height of illogicality.”

His spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, said in a statement on Saturday that his principal could not have been a sponsor of the protests when he had also been labelled a target by the organisers.

Rahman argued that the sponsors of what he called fake news had forgotten that the protest was so widespread and cut across the country.

He reacted based on the conviction that there was a need “to set the facts and record straight for fear that such a fake story may be taken on its face value by some unwary and gullible persons.”

Rahman said, “Asiwaju Tinubu could not have sponsored the #EndSARS protest that has blocked one of the main entries into and out of Lagos and one of the economic arteries of the Lagos State Government. He could also not have sponsored such a protest where he too has been labeled a target by the organisers.

“Secondly, whereas Asiwaju Tinubu believes in the right of Nigerians to freedom of expression, assembly, and protest where and when necessary, he has always canvassed the need for people to explore peaceful channels to ventilate their views and demands.”

He noted, “He (Tinubu) believes the #EndSARS protesters have made their demands, which the Federal Government is studying. Like most Nigerians, Asiwaju believes that SARS’ brutality and untoward conduct against innocent youths and other Nigerians have gone on for too long and that security outfit ought to be disbanded as demanded by the protesters.

“Asiwaju Tinubu believes it is now time for our youths to wait, exercise restraint for dialogue and reform to commence. It is therefore the height of illogicality to ascribe the sponsorship of the protest to Asiwaju.”