By Gbenga Abulude (Politics And General Desk)
Founder of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye have both talked tough in support of #EndSARS protests championed by youths in this country.
Oyedepo who spoke during his Sunday sermon, said the youths have a right to protest against police brutality and their excesses, warning against Police men or anyone assaulting them.
The clergy who led the congregation in a prayer for Nigeria, noted that the youths have lost hope in Nigeria as the nation had become worse under the Buhari-led administration.
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He said, “Every man has a right, legitimately so, to express his displeasure and pains. Everybody has it.
“I kept quiet for a while because in 2015, I warned this nation, vehemently, consistently… because I saw the dangers ahead and you can tell.
“The most gruesome season in the life of this nation is in the last five years, where lives have no value, wanton killings here and there.
“Now, they have faced the youths; and because they don’t know who is next, they have a right to say enough is enough.
“Any system that has no value for human lives is irrelevant, if they are killed when they were youths, will they be here today?
“Now, it would be a sacrilege to shoot the protesters who are not looting, who are not ravaging.
“When you push a goat to the wall then you will know that goats have teeth to bite.
“It is a sacrilege to kill youths during a protest, this protest is legitimate.”
Adeboye who had earlier backed the protests, said the youths must speak up for their rights and they needed to be kept alive to see the change they desire.
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The revered Pastor who spoke via his twitter handle said, “Our daughters will not be able to prophesy and young men will not see visions if we don’t keep them alive. I support the youths in this peaceful protest as they “speak up” to #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARS #ENDSWAT.”
The #EndSARS protests continued in the demonstrations on Sunday in different places all over the country. Many church members of the Living Faith Church popularly known as Winners Chapel had to turn back as the major highways and link to the church, Oju-Ore
In Otta, Ogun State was blocked by protesters.
Protesters at Alausa, Ikeja in front of the Lagos State Government house held their church service at the area where the protesters usually pass the night there to prove their seriousness of the #EndSARS protests.
The church service was led by the son of Pastor Adeboye of the RCCG, Leke Adeboye.
He led a prayer for Nigeria, that God should put an end to the ‘rubbish’ in the country.
Leke who is also a pastor in RCCG wore a black top branded with the inscription; ‘My Bible Says These Are End Times, We Starting With #EndSARS’.
In prayer for Nigeria, he said, “This change that we have come for, let it be real change in Jesus’ name. This reformation, let it be real reformation in Jesus’ name.
“Father, end all the radarada in our lives in Jesus’ name. End all the radarada in this nation in Jesus’ name. And Lord, please prepare us to be able to take over, to be able to take charge in Jesus’ name.
“This is just the beginning of the first chapter. As we are writing the other chapters, please write it with us in Jesus’ name. Soro soke, ko se amin.”
The #EndSARS protest has suddenly become a movement and has gained global acceptance with emminent personalities affirming their support and adding their voices that police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria must be put to an end.
The protest had led to the Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu last Sunday, banning the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and went on to announce a new formation, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).
However, Nigerians are saying they want a total reform of the force and not change of name.
The state governors also noted that the formation of SWAT was hurriedly done as the Police force was in need of an extensive reform.
