https://www.myjoyonline.com/social-media-users-call-on-ecowas-chair-akufo-addo-to-intervene-amid-endsars-protests/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/social-media-users-call-on-ecowas-chair-akufo-addo-to-intervene-amid-endsars-protests/

It was anticipated that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would be concerned about the recent happenings in its member-state Nigeria.

The regional bloc is already in talks with the Malian authorities in order to stem a possible eruption of chaos since the overthrow of its civilian government by a military junta.

However, the demands of citizens of member-states took a different turn when the #EndSARS protests emerged as the Nigerian youth demand an end to police brutality allegedly perpetrated by the Police’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Throughout the protests, many African youth have demanded their various leaders to, at least, state their position on the ongoing crisis in the region while accusing President Muhammadu Buhari and his leadership of complicity.

He is yet to publicly address the Nigerian citizens as the development continues to degenerate.

On Tuesday night, the Nigerian military allegedly opened fire on one of the pivot areas for the ongoing mammoth demonstrations, Lekki Toll Gate, injuring many unarmed civilians in the process.

Since what has now been dubbed as the #LekkiMassacre, there are calls on social media for intervention from ECOWAS.

It had been simmering for a while, but this time, it came up strong in social media trends moments after videos of the violence went viral with many calling on the recently-elected Chairman, President Akufo-Addo to call his colleague leader to order.

They said the silence of the ECOWAS leaders is too loud.

Hours later after the incident, President Akufo-Addo tweeted about his excitement with winning the number one spot during balloting for the December elections.

“Number 1 on the ballot. Let’s maintain the first position on December 7, 2020, to do more for Ghanaians. Vote for Akufo-Addo and the NPP. #4More4Nana,” he tweeted on October 21.

This comes on the back of balloting conducted by the Electoral Commission on Tuesday.

But some social media users see this as a missed opportunity by President Akufo-Addo to solidarise with the plight of the Nigerian citizenry while questioning the priority placed on their demands as Chairman of the ECOWAS.

Others have also come to the defense of the President citing the United Nations Charter as the possible basis for the open silence of the ECOWAS leader on the events in Nigeria’s domestic front.

“Article 2 (7) states that the UnitedNations has no authority to intervene in matters which are within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, while this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII of the Charter.”

Meanwhile, as the drama unfolds, the deafening agitations by the Nigerians continue to ruffle furthers at the helm of the country’s affairs as its leaders grapple with the best approach to tackling the issue of ending brutality at the hands of security officials.

The Nigerian Senate is also asking President Buhari to address the protestors immediately.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.