Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to intervene in the political crisis in Nigeria.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh said mediation would be the best mechanism to deal with the surge in reported killings during protests in Nigeria.
"We cannot allow the situation in Nigeria to fester. Where is sit, I believe the way out is mediation; which would be able to reduce the tension a bit," he said.
His comment follows reports of alleged killings by security forces in Nigeria during a peaceful protest in Lekki after a 24-hour curfew had been authorised by the government in Lagos.
Videos circulating on social media have seen thousands of demonstrators who have taken to the streets of major cities in Nigeria to call for an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Nigeria will rise again
—
Retweet aggressively !!!#Endsars #LekkiMassacre #LekkiGenocide pic.twitter.com/vkP8Ar78ekPiousbae
(@Piousbae012) October 21, 2020
Protesters have stated the reason for their march has not been addressed by the Nigerian government and until government acts, they would remain on the streets.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh, speaking to JoyNews stated that he is confident ECOWAS Chair, President Nana Akufo-Addo would address the political distress in Nigeria after final consultation with relevant parties.
"I have heard people calling on the president. I know he will speak at the right time. I have tweeted to the AU to step in as soon as practicable. I am confident our president will show leadership and speak at the appropriate time," he stated.
He disclosed that the president has undertaken diplomatic measures to deal with the said impasse.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh has admonished all affected parties to remain calm in such distressful times to avoid further aggravation of matters.
"The interim measure that should be taken is to speak to the people to remain calm while we seek to take an optimum resolution into this matter," he stated.
I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 20, 2020
Several international personalities that include Hillary Clinton, Beyoncé, Rihanna among others have called on the Nigerian government to end the civic unrest in the country.
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