Former governor of Imo state and Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said the #EndSARS was a wake-up call to Nigerian elites and a reaction to bad governance in the country.
Okorocha who spoke at a press conference during the weekend stated that the elites have been selfish in handling the affairs of the country and called for a sacrifice.
He said that all leaders should cut up to 50 – 70 per cent of their income so that the youths will have a sense of belonging.
He said, “What started a few days ago as a peaceful protest has escalated into losing many souls and burning property with people living in fear. This situation is very unfortunate and highly regrettable. I want to sympathise with those that have lost their loved ones due to the protests. 
However, I want to say that this is a wakeup call by the youths of this country to the leaders of this nation. It is a pointer that we the elite have been selfish in handling the affairs of this country. There has been a track record of unfair leadership for a long time.
The #EndSARS protest is not just targeted at the police but a disappointment over economic issues in a nation where we have joblessness and poverty for the youths.
As I speak to you as a senator, I have not received a dime as salary since I became a senator. The point I want to make is that if you look at the allowances given to the senators and break it down for accommodation, transportation among others, itely not out of place.
You cannot bring somebody as a senator and expect him to be a pauper who cannot afford a decent meal.
However, the situation now calls for national sacrifice from the leadership. Even if we are going to turn the senators to live in hostels, let everybody cut down 50 toper content of his or her income so that the youths will also have a sense of belonging that the leaders are making sacrifices.
The truth is that our lifestyle provokes youths. We must call on leaders, the legislatures and executives, to change our lifestyle as a mark of sacrifice.“
