#EndSARS: We might not be lucky next time, Muiz Banire warns fellow politicians

FORMER national legal adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, has urged politicians and other stakeholders in the country to display humanity in their interactions with the populace.

Banire noted that failure to do this could lead to an unrest reminiscent of the Arab spring which would render the recent #EndSARS protests child’s play.

The former AMCON chairman said this during an interactive programme, ‘Citytalk with Reuben Abati’ monitored by Naija Times’ reporter via zoom on Saturday.

While explaining the cryptic title, ‘Egungun be careful, of a recent article he wrote, Banire who is a columnist with Sun Newspaper, said the egungun (masquerade) in the article is a generic term for Nigerian politicians.

He warned the politicians to be careful lest they’re disrobed and make vulnerable by the angry masses.

He said, ” There is so much tension in the country now. People are hungry, they are depressed and frustrated. We need to be careful the way we address them because any small thing would trigger an agitation of unimaginable dimension.”

The three-term Lagos commissioner noted that Nigerian politicians should change their approach to governance as they might not survive the next agitation from the masses.
“We are lucky this time that we were able to quell the situation. But we might not be lucky next time.

” Next time would be like the spring witnessed in the Arab territories.We all possibly could be victims. For this not to happen there is a compelling need for every stakeholder, every Nigerian politician to speak up and encourage dialogue at all levels with the people.

“They must find a means to provide true palliatives to the people, otherwise we will continue to sit on the gunpowder.” Banire stated.

Reacting to the recent revocation of the pension law for ex-governors and their deputies in Lagos State, Banire said it’s a welcome development though belated.

He said, “It seems to me in the first instance that the cancellation is belated. Thank God it is coming ultimately. Right from day one I have always been against the law.”

He disclosed what most people did not know by saying, “The danger in it which most people do not know is that the ex-speakers of the House of Assembly are already demanding their own.”

The lawyer said paying politicians pensions after their terms in office is wicked.

He said, “These are the people who go to the populace during their campaigns to say ‘Please I want to serve you’. And having purportedly served us finish you want to turn yourself into a burden (on us). That’s unfair, it is wicked as far as I’m concerned.”