Wike supports women on fresh constitution for new Nigeria

TRACKING___Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, supported women who advocated a new constitution in the country that would usher in fresh democratic experience for Nigerians and end police brutality in all its ramifications.

He stressed that the inherent injustices that had characterised the Nigerian state and wanton police brutality must stop in order to give Nigerians a new lease of life.

He stated this while addressing scores of women who stormed Government House, Port Harcourt, to demand an end to police brutality and a new constitution that would usher in a free, democratic Nigeria.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor said he felt the pain of the women, some of whom have lost their child, husband and other loved ones to police brutality.

Wike said the injustice inflicted on Nigerians should stop, adding that he had been calling attention to the lawlessness of the Nigerian police officers, especially of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) since 2015 and 2016.

He said when he raised concerns that SARS officers in the state were going beyond their bounds, the Federal Government, which controls the police ignored him, insisting that even some officials of SARS who were caught on camera killing people in Rivers were promoted as though to justify impunity.

The governor explained that this was the best time to address the rot in the system, saying, “If Nigeria was truly a democratic country, the people’s voices must be heard.”

Speaking, Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo, told the governor that for 12 days, they and other Nigerian women have been on the streets crying to demand a reformed country, stressing that the protests were not political, but a movement of people who are frustrated with the system.

“We are standing to say ENDSARS. Destroy the constitution that has institutionalised injustice, inequality and lack of development. We want a new constitution where every Nigerian will be free, where the child of the poor can attend good schools, where sick women can go to good hospital and get treatment and where roads will not be death trap. That is not too much to ask,” she said.

Scores of mothers dressed in black attires had joined in the #EndSARS protest in Port Harcourt to demand an end to police brutality and bad governance in the country.

Niger Delta activist and former member of the 2014 national political reform conference, Ann-Kio Briggs, said those with evil intention were the ones attempting to change the narrative of the #EndSARs protests.