Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his nationwide broadcast addressing the issues of the End SARS protest.
Obasanjo issued the commendation during a virtual meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and former Nigerian leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, NAN reports.
A statement by Buhari's spokesman, Femi Adesina, quoted Obasanjo as saying: "I commend the speech of last night. The nation had been waiting. You made points that I believe need to be commended.
"Peaceful demonstration is part of democratic practice. The demands of the genuine protesters were accepted, and you are working on implementation. We commend you.''
Adesina said the former heads of state were unanimous in their view that generation of employment and growing the economy including through direct foreign investments were critical to checking youth restiveness.
They also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families of civilians, policemen and soldiers killed as a result of the violent protest.
The former Nigerian leaders reaffirmed the commitment to respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution.
Those at the virtual meeting included all living past leaders, namely; Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
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