Feminist Coalition asks #EndSARS protesters to stay home

Feminist Coalition, a group offering administrative support to #EndSARS protests, says it will no longer accept donations for the campaign. 

In a statement signed by some of its members on Friday, it asked #EndSARS protesters to stay at home and observe the curfew declared in some states.

The group said it made the decision after President Muhammadu Buhari’s address on Thursday and to prevent further violence.

It said over the past 14 days while the protests lasted, it received N147,855,788 donations and spent N60,403,235.

The group also said the remaining fund “will go towards funding medical emergencies, legal aid for wrongfully detained citizens, and relief for victims of police brutality and families of the deceased”.

“The Feminist Coalition condemns every form of violence and believes that no Nigerian life is worth losing to senseless violence. We are young Nigerians with hopes, dreams and aspirations for our country. This means we need to stay alive to pursue our dreams to build the future, ” it said.

“The past two weeks have been tough for many Nigerians, most especially the last two days. Many lives have been lost and properties destroyed at the height of what started as peaceful marches for the end to police brutality. These Nigerians share the same vision for a better country as we all do and should be duly recognized as heroes.

“We are merchants of hope. Our priority is always the welfare and safety of the Nigerian youth. Following the President’s address, we hereby encourage all young Nigerians to stay safe, stay home, and observe the mandated curfew in your state.

“The Feminist Coalition has made a decision to henceforth stop all donation inflows for the #EndSARS peaceful protest. The rest of the donations will go towards funding medical emergencies, legal aid for wrongfully detained citizens, and relief for victims of police brutality and families of the deceased.

“The remaining funds will be channeled through the following initiatives/organizations: 1. #EndSARSresponse (Medical) N20,114,087.25; 2. The Legal Aid Network N15,741,459.59; 3. Relief for victims of police brutality and families of the deceased N40,228,174.51; 4. Memorial for the Fallen N5,247,153.197; 5. #EndSARSMentaIHealthSupport N6,121,678.73.

“The Feminist Coalition remains committed to its core mandate, which is, championing the advancement of the Nigerian woman. We hope everyone will extend the same support we have received in the past two weeks towards pursuing this mandate.”

The statement was signed by Damilola Odufuwa, Jola Ayeye, Odunayo Eweniyi, Laila Johnson-Salami, Layo Ogunbanwo, Karo Omu.

Others are Ozzy Etomi, Obiageli Ofili Alintah, Ire Aderinokun, Tito Ovia, Fakhrriyyah Hashim, Kiki Mordi, Oluwaseun Ayodeji, FK Abudu.