#EndSARS: "We created the hoodlums" – Former Cross Rivers Gov, Donald Duke asks for forgiveness

The Cross River state former Governor, Donald Duke has dished out some word on the current commotion in Nigeria, and he considers it as a situation created by a failed government.

The former governor, who spoke with some journalists on Sunday, 25th October, 2020, while reacting to the destruction of properties on Friday and Saturday in Calabar by some thugs, stated that the act was not normal.

As per him, the #Endsars campaign is a cry for an end to corruption and diversion of public funds meant to better the living of citizens, hence, thugs are not to be blamed for vandalizing properties.

In his words..

“We often want to blame these happenings on criminals and miscreants, but they are no such people, we created them, they are human beings.

“I find it deplorable when people regard others as miscreants. They are our children. If you don’t provide for them, train them and give them hope, they will take laws into their hands; but the point is we need to rise up and correct these things.

“We must mean what we say and say what we mean. When the youths feel that your words are empty statements, they won’t take you seriously anymore.”

Speaking further, he stated that if the tragic incident that happened in Calabar ought to occur again, because the state is “finished”.

Duke, who charged the government to be prepared to find solutions to the issues, revealed that the uniqueness of the state hospitality has been affected.

He said..

 

“The youths have been bruised and we need to address that and heal their scars. My desire is to reach out to them, speak to them and ask for forgiveness; so that we can forgive them too and create a better society.

“We love Cross River, the soonest we come out, we will encourage others to do same. We need the support of everyone to do this. We should encourage the government to succeed, regardless of what we think.

“Some of the protesters are idle, if they are employed, they won’t be on the streets. You can’t say you have a right to life without given a right to livelihood.

“When you see someone carting away a used toilet base, you should know there is a big problem. We need to help our young people to succeed. We need to educate, equip and sustain them.”

Nonetheless, he added that the vehicles, furniture, and among other properties damaged can be replaced, but no human life can be replaced, hence the youths should sheath their swords.

As per him, the youths were passing a strong message to the leaders, not through words that are loud enough.