We ll arrest TuFace, if… —Police

TuFace

Yesterday, Nigerian Police, said it would not permit the anti-government protest planned by popular music star, Innocent Idibia, (2Face Idibia) to hold in Lagos.

Recall that this protest has gotten a lot of support from some prominent Nigerians like the Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose; lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa; among other Nigerians, other popular musicians like Davido, commedians like Seyi Law, and some many others.

2Face Idibia, had earlier in the week, requested for the support from his fans and colleagues through his social media platforms to join his march against the crippling economic state of the nation.

The protest is scheduled for February 6, 2017. He had used same medium to on Tuesdayto urge Nigerians to come out in a “peaceful and articulate manner” for the march, adding that “the need for urgent solutions to the challenges facing Nigerians has become very clear.

Things are not getting better for the majority, we are still where we are, poor and desperate. I will no longer be quiet.”

The group organizing the protest, @EiENigeria, wrote in its Twitter handle:

“In view of the latest police update, how do we proceed with the march? Protest continues as planned. #IStandWiithNigeria. Our leaders owe us their ears too and they must hear us. This march is about connecting the government with the citizens.”  

However, Fatai Owoseni, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, said the command will not let the protest hold in the city.

Owoseni said intelligence reports indicates that criminals might hijack the process to wreak havoc in Lagos.

“Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest and at such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos. We know that Tuface does not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” Owoseni said.

“no matter how good an intention is, hoodlums would always find a way to harass, rob and attack innocent members of the public who may wish to go about their lawful duties.”

The Police has however, threatened to arrest TuFace if he tries holding the protest.

Conversely, Governor Fayose call back the commissioner’s attention to his duty that

“The duty of the police to secure Nigerians is mandatory, not optional. Therefore, if there is any intelligence report suggesting the possibility of criminals hijacking the process, it is the duty of the police to provide security cover for the protesters.”

Governor Fayose through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government must be made to understand that leadership is about accountability and to be accountable, leaders must listen to public opinion either by civil or peaceful protest.”

Fayose added  “Court of Appeal affirmed in its judgment in Inspector General of Police Vs All Nigerians Peoples Party that protest or gathering do not require police permit or interference as obtainable in an advanced democracy.

“Most importantly, the protest is said to be for and about good governance. So who is afraid of the protest? Who does the police represent or is representing in this issue?”

On the Protest, he said: “Nigerians are hungry and angry, our currency is now above N500 to $1. If Nigerians want to show their anger, no one should prevent them. Nepotism, extra judicial killings, disobedience to court order and human rights abuses must stop.

“The conscience is an open wound and the guilty is afraid. If the APC-led Federal Government is now acting as if the protest is against it, it means the federal government has accepted to be guilty as charged. Like I said before, I support the protest.

Moreover, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who is a lawyer and human rights activist asked Police Commissioner get a copy of the Nigerian constitution to guide his actions instead of upsetting the wishes of the masses.

Adegboruwa said: “I have read reports credited to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police declaring that the rally slated for Lagos on Monday February 6, 2017, will not hold. I consider this to be an attempt to intimidate those who wish to partake in the rally, otherwise it cannot be a message for us veterans and indeed the deprived, oppressed and hungry people of Nigeria.

“For the information of the Police Commissioner, Nigeria is a democratic country governed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Section 39 of the Constitution grants freedom of expression, including the right to be heard and to disseminate information and ideas.

Section 40 grants the right to associate and gather together. Section 38 grants the right to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly. I believe that Mr Fatai Owoseni has a copy of the Constitution, to guide his actions and utterances on this matter, instead of threatening 2Baba and law abiding citizens, who are responsible for his salary.”

He reminded Owoseni that the issue of police permit for citizens to gather freely expired with the coming into force of the 1999 Constitution and that holding on such to deny people right to gather is like taking a step back to to military era.

“I therefore, urge the good people of Nigeria, especially those who reside in Lagos, to join us en mass at Ikeja, for the rally on February 6, 2017. We cannot be intimidated in our own country, by the same people who are paid to protect us.

“This is not a rally by miscreants or thugs as to warrant the fears being expressed by the police commissioner. The statutory duty of the police is to offer us protection on Monday and help to maintain orderliness, throughout the period of the rally. So come rain or shine, we shall hold the rally on Monday, as scheduled, because it is illegal for the police to seek to ban a lawful assembly,” Adegboruwa said.  

Also, Niger Delta ex-militantshave also vowed to support the protest, saying it is the best way to go. The ex-militants swore to heed the 2Face call for peaceful protest if it would get the government back on track to what the masses wants. A statement released by the National P.R.O., Phase 2 ex-militants and chairman, Urhobo Ex-militant Leaders Forum, Mr H.M. Ebirie, stated that

“we the Niger Delta ex-agitators are fully in support of the 2face Idibia-led nationwide mass protest against economic hardship and severe hunger in the country. The federal government seemed to have no immediate measures to cushion plights of the suffering masses and we are ready for the protest.

“The Federal Government must be awaken to rise up to its responsibilities of creating the conducive environment for economic growth and alleviation of severe hunger in the land through people-oriented policies and programmes,” they said.”