By Muhammed Saheed
Peoples Democratic Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the Federal government to handle issues arising from the recent #EndSARS protests with caution and show respect for the youth.
Kingsley Chinda, leader of the caucus, stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Chinda said the caucus noted “with trepidation” that in the last few weeks, the media had been inundated with news reports of actions taken by the government against #EndSARS protesters and alleged supporters.
The statement reads, “These actions, which include seizure of passports/travel documents, freezing of bank accounts, court orders sought and obtained by the government against citizens, de-registration of companies perceived to be supporters of #EndSars by the Corporate Affairs Commission and arrests and prosecution of some genuine protesters, show the insidious and ridiculous length the government has gone in muzzling the rights and freedoms of citizens, whose only offense is that they dared to speak truth to power and to a government that has become tone-deaf, on auto-drive and, of course, blind to the sufferings of Nigerians.”
The caucus urged the government to retrace its steps and engage the youth.
“Our youths as partners and not dissidents that must be treated with scorn and discredited for voicing their opinions on the many unfortunate happenstances in our country. This government must free itself from fifth columnists bent on derailing our democracy,” Chinda said.
