The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has said the command will not permit the planned nationwide protest against the Federal Government scheduled to take place on Monday.
The protest, which was planned by respected musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, was to demand answers to current economic situation in the country.
According to a report, Owoseni said the police command in the state has not been intimated of the planned protest as the various security agencies in the state have not received any official request on the matter, stating that hoodlums may take advantage of the process to attack innocent members of the public.
According to the police chief, the command wasn’t ready for that kind of demonstration and as such would not allow it to hold.
Speaking, he said, “Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest. And as 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.”
Meanwhile, Mr Innocent Idibia had earlier assured of the preparedness for a successful nationwide protest on Monday.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ReelTV, 2Baba enjoined members of the public to share their thoughts on different social media platforms.
“We need to move. Nigeria is greater than all these. Let’s keep selfish interest away from Nigeria. Let’s work. Let’s co-operate. Let’s make things happen. This thing is no longer a one man thing. It is all of us, Nigerians.
“Between now and Monday, I ask you to share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter and blogs. How are these issues affecting you? How is it doing you? What are your daily struggles? No matter what part of the world you are in, I encourage you to share your thoughts.
“Join me on Monday at Surulere. You also do it wherever you are. You can do it online. You can match from your office. Just participate. Use any of the hashtags, istandwithNigeria istandwith2baba OnevoiceNigeria.”
Also in another development, the Special Adviser to the President On Media has responded to the planned nationwide protest.
Speaking in an interview with Lagos Talk 91.3fm, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said those who are calling for the protest are people who supported the last government and are still pained that they lost the last election.
“This is a country of about 180 million people. It is impossible for 180 million people to think the same way. The Yoruba have a saying that goes thus; if you all sleep and put your heads in the same direction, then you are all foolish because you would be breathing in one another’s mouth and lungs. Don’t forget the last election and how it went. Somebody scored 12.5 million votes, another scored about 15 million votes.
“There are some people who are still in that election shock. They have not gotten out of it and till today, they are still living and “rheumatisizing” about the past. What they don’t know is that that past is gone and gone forever. Majority of those calling for the protest are still in election shock. Majority of them are people that have resolved not to see anything good in this administration simply because the man they wanted lost at the polls,” he said.
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