Goodluck Ebele Jonathan condemns killing of #EndSARS protesters

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned the killings of the EndSARS protesters as well as his verdict of the recent happenings in the nation.

Read also: Full text of President Muhammadu Buhari’ speech

In a press statement titled “A call for peace”, Goodluck Jonathan addressed the EndSARS protests and called on Nigerians to allow the use of dialogue to solve the issue and not violence.

The statement reads:

“My heart goes out to the families of young Nigerians who have lost their lives in the past days as a result of #EndSARS protests. May God grant them the fortitude they need at this difficult time. It has been a difficult time to me as well. 

‘’Nation-building is a collective task that involves the genuine efforts of all patriotic citizens; old or young.   Our country cannot afford to lose the lives of our youth who we look up to take over leadership and continue our nation’s journey to greatness.

‘’As leaders, we must understand that a nation can never win a battle against its own people.   Thus, the use of deadly force against citizens only aggravates tense situations rather than assuage it. We must therefore move away from battlegrounds to middle grounds in our individual and national life. This, I believe, epitomises the essence of democracy.