Hardship: Police, Protest Organisers Dig In

The Nigeria Police Force and organisers of the planned nationwide protest against hardship on August 1 have stuck to their positions on the legality of the protest. The police insist that the organisers provide details to enable them to guarantee a violence-free protest, while the organisers argue that the police have no right to request such details.

The protest organisers, including Deji Adeyanju, claim that providing details would amount to rewriting the constitution. The police, however, maintain that requesting details is a standard procedure to ensure safety and prevent unlawful activities.

The Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the Inspector-General of Police’s request is not an attempt to deny citizens their constitutional right to freedom of association and expression but rather to ensure peaceful assembly and expression.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for caution on both the organisers of the planned protest and the federal government. CAN’s president, His Eminence, The Most Rev Dr. Daniel Okoh, urged Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances, such as dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has thrown his weight behind the protest, stating that hunger and hopelessness among youths are the “sponsors” of the planned protest. He advised the Federal Government to engage and listen to the protesters.

Salihu Lukman, the immediate-past National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked President Bola Tinubu to stop attempts to criminalize and politicize the planned nationwide protest.

Telecom operators have denied allegations of plans to frustrate the protest by indiscriminately barring subscribers. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo, stated that their contract with subscribers is sacrosanct and that they have no motive to interfere with the protest.

The Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of Afenifere has said that the planned protest has taken on a “clear sinister dimension” outside the tenets of constructive engagement. However, the Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere has expressed support for the planned protest.

Indigenous youths of Lagos State have warned against the proposed nationwide protest, stating that they won’t tolerate any attempt to destroy the state. They advised those sponsoring the protest to have a rethink and pledged support for constructive dialogue.