Paul Okoye says youths protesting the police brutality in Nigeria have many other demands they will be making after the march against the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) comes to an end.
The singer told BBC Igbo on Wednesday that Nigerian youths are demanding accountability from their leaders for the first time in a long while.
Okoye noted that the protester’s other demands, which they will address in due time, go beyond police reform.
“We know they’ve agreed to act on our demands because they want us to calm down. I’m sorry to say but we’ve gone beyond that now,” the singer explained in Igbo.
“Now, it’s totally about the youths. Do you how much money Nigerian senators are paid? We’re also coming for them. It’s true that it started with SARS but we will demand a lot of things.
“It’s the first time in the history of Nigeria that we will see the youths coming together to protest in this manner. Have you seen it before? No!
“It doesn’t end with the police. We’re coming for senators and the house of assembly. Now we have a voice. We don’t want trouble but we can drag this to the elections.
“You see all these political thugs they use for elections, there are some things that have been ruined in this country.
“We can finish this protest and go home but we will still have where we gather, for the youths strictly one voice. Then, in the next election, the battle will be between the ruling party and the Nigerian youth.”
Adamu Mohammed, the inspector-general of police (IGP), had earlier announced the disbandment of SARS over the nationwide outrage that attracted the attention of the international community.
Over the past few days, indigenous musicians like Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Falz, Runtown, and had joined their fans on the streets to protest attacks by the police unit.
On Tuesday, Adamu had set up the special weapons and tactics scheme (SWAT) to replace the disbanded SARS and said members of the new unit would commence training next week.
But, despite the IGP’s moves, the EndSARS campaign continued to gain momentum, with protesters demanding a holistic reform of the country’s police.
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