On the 20th of October 2021 in rememberance of Nigeria Youths who were killed at Lekki Toll Gate, Tètá (Wake Up) Group led the #EndSars Memorial with 3 specific demands from Anambra youths for prospective administrations which are:
(1) Compensation of Victims of Police Brutality
(2) Anambra State Security Trust Fund ( Welfare for Vigilantes, Police and other Security agencies
(3) Anambra State Office of the Public Defender ( Provision of Legal Representations for Accused persons/Detainees
Teta (Wake Up), a group made up of leaders of the #EndSARS protest in Anambra State, invited the governorship candidates of political parties for the November 6 governorship election for an interactive session.
Various Political Party Candidates including but not limited to APGA, APC, PDP, ZLP and Accord Party received our invitation.
Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, honored the invitation to share his insights on the demands of Anambra Youths.
He urged the Federal Government to address the root cause of the #EndSARS protests as youths around the country commemorate one year since the deadly attack on peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate.
On October 20, 2020, a combined team of military operatives and police officers attacked young Nigerians protesting police brutality at the Lekki Toll Gate. Human rights groups reported at least fifteen people who lost their lives and several others who suffered injuries.
Ozigbo applauded Teta for the initiative and affirmed his stand with the #EndSARS protesters. In 2020, Ozigbo spoke up against police brutality and the injustices faced by the youth In a video, where he applauded the youth and called for an end to human rights abuses.
“Your demands are legitimate, and I am solidly behind you. I was physically present at the Lekki Toll Gate protests last year because I feel your pain. I work with many young people, and I receive reports of their experiences with security agents,” Ozigbo said.
“While your demands are legitimate, I also think it is essential for us to deal with the root cause of this problem. Nigeria needs restructuring, and this includes our security apparatus.
“I firmly believe that if we implement state police, we will significantly improve our security operations and create competition between state police formations trying to outperform each other.
“Our security operatives also need proper training and not just improved remuneration because increasing the salary of an unstable individual will not eliminate the chances of unfortunate behaviour.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, promised to ensure that his administration looks into Tete’s demands if elected into office.
While speaking, on behalf of Teta, Chijioke Ifediora, Esq, revealed the demands of the group, which includes compensation of the victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, setting up an Anambra State security trust fund to cater to the welfare of security agencies, and the reform of the Anambra State Office of the Public Defender for access to justice for victims.
Ifediora stated that the group’s goal is to secure the commitment of the governorship candidates and partner with their prospective governments to achieve the demands.
