As Nigerians look forward to October 1, 2024 Independence Day anniversary celebration, the nation’s security agencies have enjoined organisers of planned nationwide protest to ensure it is carried out without any form of violence.
Speaking yesterday at stakeholders meeting organised by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, (CP) Ishola Olanrewaju, the police and representatives of sister security agencies jointly contended that while Nigerians have the right to carry out protest, such right must not extend to the use of violence in their agitation for improvement in governance.
According to CP Ishola, “it has become expedient to emphasize the fact that Nigerians have right to celebrate Independence. All are enjoined to come out enmasse to celebrate joyfully while going about their lawful businesses but I must emphasize that those planning to protest should do so within the context of extant law on protest.”
“The only approved venue for protest in Lagos is the Freedom Park at Ojota. I have communicated same accordingly to the organizers of the planned protest. Therefore there should not be any form of apprehension for Lagos residents. The protest is becoming one too many but I promise to protect the protesters, therefore they must not allow miscreants to hijack the protest.”
At the stakeholders conference which took place on Friday at POWA event centre at Oduduwa Street, Ikeja-Lagos, chieftains of other security agencies spoke in the same vein with the Police Commissioner.
The Lags State Director, Department of State Service (DSS) Mr. Dapo Amao while emphasising what the police boss has said, asserted that all the security agencies in the state were collaborating efficiently such that the existing synergy makes it possible for them to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Other security agencies represented at the event included the Army, Air Force, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp etc.
The Founder cum Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic Human Rights organization, Prof. Ishaq Akintola wondered why other countries like America, France etc would usually celebrate their Independence Day with fanfare but Nigeria goes in opposite direction of protest and wild conduct to destroy what ought to be joy of the day. “It is sacrilegious to do so” he asserted.
According to him, it was wrong for people to continue embarking on nationwide protest against Government when it was obvious that such protest would be hijacked by hoodlums.
However, representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) at the conference while claiming ignorance of any planned nationwide protest, encouraged the nation’s security agencies to be bold enough to tell those at the corridors of power that there is so much hardship in the country.
According to the labour leaders, politicians in power should understand that there are some underlining causes that lead to protest and such causes should be addressed in good time to avert protest of any kind. “Politicians are living in affluence and are quite unmindful of the hardship people are going through,” they insisted. They added that government should not always oppress Nigerians for trying to express their anger” they insisted.
Lending support to Labour’s position, representative of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Chapter contended that many politicians or leaders in Nigeria would always posit that they know what Nigerians are going through but in actual fact such leaders do not feel what Nigerians are feeling. “There is hardship on the land and only the poor are feeling it” he argued.
The lawyer noted that even though the NBA would not support violent protest in any where, Nigerians are not really seeing anything good to make them celebrate the nation’s Independence joyfully like other countries. “All we can celebrate, is hardship,” he contended.
Among other stakeholders at the event were representatives of market associations, community and religious leaders, students union and the media.