Thread by @KolaOyeneyin

Dear friends, everyday in the last 13 days I’ve written to you daily. Mainly because I felt that my role was to guide young people on how to engage, protest and dialogue/negotiate peacefully.

And Nigeria’s young people emerged; peaceful, brilliant and purposeful on #endsars

Until last night, when the unthinkable happened. At first I thought it was just the predictable deployment of the military to help calm things down, allowing peaceful protests to go on, but ensuring that those trying to perpetuate violence never came close to #endsars protesters.

I was wrong, we were wrong. We may never have the full account of what happened at #Lekkitollgate but the footages we saw painted a horrific image of unnecessary escalations from what could have been an evening of sit-out, while rendering the national anthem peacefully. #endsars

Having remained largely numb for most of today, I felt it was important that I sustain my engagement with our younger ones, who right now are asking many questions or may be in total disbelief. Without patronizing, believe me when I say, we feel your pains. #endsars

Many have tweeted @ me, asking what should they do now? Wondering if defiance is the way to go. This is what I say to you, I understand that feeling of helplessness and loss; and wanting to push back. However, your safety is now the most important objective now. #endsars

While we await an official statement from the federal government as to what actually did happen on the night of Tuesday, Oct. 20th, 2020, one of the best ways to honour the memory of the lives lost so far is to ensure that no more blood is further shed. #endsars

So friends, I appeal to you to stay at home and obey the curfew orders. Let not your good be evil spoken of. And don’t give anyone any justification for the use of force. While you may not agree with me, I seek not to impose my will. I am simply appealing to you. #endsars

For now, let’s try to put all the pieces together. Retreating and restrategizing is one of the tactics of a sustained nonviolent resistance. If you study the civil rights movement well, you’d see clearly that “calm” is not the same as cowardice. Please stay calm. #endsars

We appeal to the army, police and other law enforcement agencies, to honour the oath they took when they decided to serve. It is to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians, not to take or destroy them. There’s no better time to reassure Nigerians of this than now. #endsars

We remember the families & loved ones of those who lost their lives since these protests began across Nig over the last 13days. May God comfort them all, and rest the souls of the departed in peace.

We continue to pray that God’s will for Nigeria be done!

Thank you. #endsars