End SARS: Lawyers for protesters ready, office holders must earn workers’ salary – UAC

• Stephen Godonu:  

The United Action For Change (UAC) on Monday urged End SARS protesters to carry on peacefully.

The organisation, led by renowned rights activist and lawyer, Muiz Banire (SAN), said all hands must be on deck to end police brutality and make Nigeria better.

Banire was a commissioner in Lagos State and former National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

UAC announced that it had formed a team of lawyers to provide free legal services to arrested protesters.

In a statement by Acting National Publicity Secretary, Enitan Olukotun and General Secretary, Michael Popoola Ajayi, the group hailed the courage of young citizens.

UAC further commended the coordination and unison displayed so far as they demand a system change.

The group charged the youths to institutionalize the historic struggle by creating structures to sustain the gains and birth the new Nigeria of their dream.

UAC said it took more than a passing interest in the unprecedented and historic #EndSARS and #EndPoliceBrutality movement.

“The campaign has expanded beyond the scope of security forces’ abuse of power and killings to include demands for good governance, true federalism, employment opportunities, adequate security and an end to corruption”, the statement read.

“The legitimate demands and agitations of these young folks resonate with the agenda of the UAC. We are totally aligned with these patriotic demands and also promise to support them with free legal services and other areas within our capacity.

“We are demanding that the outrageous and immoral jumbo pension scheme for former governors and their deputies end forthwith. It smacks of insensitivity by those elected as leaders and catered for by public sweat to become eternal burdens to the people amidst excruciating poverty.”

The organisation called for drastic reductions in the cost of governance across the board.

“We demand an end to humongous take home pay and satanic emoluments being expropriated by the federal lawmakers and, therefore, request that Senators, House of Representatives members and all political office holders should be placed on Civil Service Salary Scale”, UAC added.