With just days left before the nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, tensions have heightened between various stakeholders, including the police, protest organisers, and political figures.
The dispute centers around the legality and execution of the planned demonstration, which aims to address widespread hardship across the country.
Police Demand for Protest Details Sparks Controversy
As preparations for the protest continue, the Nigeria Police Force has insisted that organisers provide specific details to ensure a violence-free event.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, issued a directive for protest organisers to submit information about their plans, including routes and assembly points. This request has been met with resistance from the organisers.
Deji Adeyanju, one of the protest organisers, has criticized the IG’s demand, arguing that it infringes on constitutional rights.
Adeyanju stated, “When the constitution was conferring the right to protest on the citizens, did it give conditions for protests?
Is the IG trying to rewrite the constitution?
He has no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not give the IG the power to dictate how citizens should protest.”
In response, Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi defended the police’s request, describing it as a standard procedure to ensure safety and prevent unlawful activities.
Adejobi explained, “It is essential to know who is planning the assembly (protests) in each state as allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardise the peace and stability of the country.”
Allegations Against Telecom Companies and Government Response
The lead-up to the protest has also seen allegations of potential interference from telecommunications companies.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, claimed that telcos were attempting to frustrate the protest by restricting subscribers’ access.
He said, “For the past few days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for flimsy and untenable reasons…
This action is coming on the heels of the proposed struggle of the people against hunger, poverty, and suffering.”
However, telecom operators have strongly denied these accusations.
Engr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), described the allegations as unfounded.
“We are in a social and economic contract with the people to provide services at all times. We have no intention to interfere in whatever way with the protest,” he stated.
CAN Calls for Caution; Obi and Lukman Weigh In
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged both the protest organisers and the government to exercise caution.
CAN President, The Most Rev Dr. Daniel Okoh, emphasized the need for peaceful engagement.
“Protest is legal in every democracy; we stand with the people of Nigeria in solidarity… But I am hopeful that God who has brought us together as a nation will not abandon us,” he said.
Support for the protest has also come from political figures. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, expressed his backing, attributing the protest to “hunger and hopelessness among the youth.”
He urged for the protest to be conducted within the bounds of the law, adding, “Security agents should manage the situation within the law, they should not try to be overbearing.”
Conversely, Salihu Lukman, the immediate-past National Vice Chairman of the APC, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s attempts to criminalize the protest.
“It is laughable that a president who was in a hurry to implement several anti-people policies would now turn around to ask Nigerians not to be in a hurry to protest,” Lukman said.
Mixed Reactions and Concerns from Various Factions
The planned protest has also divided opinions within political and social groups. The Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of Afenifere denounced the protest as “ill-conceived,” accusing it of potentially escalating into violence.
National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, remarked, “The planned anti-Tinubu national protest is taking a clear sinister dimension that is outside the tenets of constructive protests.”
In contrast, the Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere supported the protest, attributing it to the economic crisis exacerbated by government policies.
Justice Faloye of the Adebanjo faction noted, “The planned protest was triggered by the economic crisis in the country.”
Lagos Youths Warn Against Potential Violence
In Lagos, indigenous youths have voiced their concerns about the protest. The Indigenous Youth Network, comprising various youth groups, warned against any actions that could lead to violence or destruction.
Leader Mobolaji Ogunlende stated, “We believe it must be constructive and in the best interest of the people… We are coming together to defend our heritage and state against any possible destruction.”
