A
cross-section of Nigerians and groups have expressed anger over an order by the
Nigeria Police cancelling the February 6 nationwide anti-government protests to
be led
by singer, Tuface Idibia.
by singer, Tuface Idibia.
The
organiser of the protests, tagged #IStandWithNigeria, had said the planned
protests were to draw the attention of the present government to the hardship
in the country as a result of high inflation rate, shortage of food and other
social problems.
They are
scheduled to hold simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
The Police
on Friday called on the protests conveners to call off their planned gathering,
saying it might lead to a breakdown of law and order.
The force
said it learnt that apart from the protests being planned by Idibia, other
interest groups were also planning a counter-protest, which might lead to
clashes and attendant loss of lives.
But earlier,
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to VP President Yemi Osinbajo, had said
that “Nigeria is a free country. Lawful assembly is permitted (for Nigerians)
to express themselves.
“This
administration is not in the business of stopping people’s rights. The most
important thing is to ensure a peaceful assembly.”
When asked
specifically if the Presidency was not concerned that the Abuja protest is
scheduled to take place on a day Buhari is expected to resume work, Akande
said, “They are free to protest any day they choose.”
Spokesman
for the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said move by the Police to
stop the protest “would be working against the Nigerian Constitution.”
Spokesperson
for the Ijaw Youth Congress, Mr. Eric Omare, said “We are in support of the
planned protest by Tuface and the government should not try to stop it.”
President,
Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, said it “would be out of place
for the police under a democratic government to threaten to subdue peaceful
protesters.”
The
Committee for the Defence of Human Rights admonished "the police and the
government to provide protection to the Nigerian people who have found their
voices and are ready to give concrete expression to their voices.
“I,
therefore, urge the good people of Nigeria, especially those who reside in Lagos,
to join us en masse at Ikeja for the rally. We cannot be intimidated in our own
country by the same people who are paid to protect us.”
Chairman,
Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation, Osun State, Suleiman Adeniyi, said:
“No
President or commissioner of police has the right to stop Tuface [or any
Nigerian] from staging a peaceful protest because it will be undemocratic.”
NLC, TUC and
others have also declared their support for protest. #NaijaGoBetter
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