By Olusegun Olanrewaju, Cross Udo, and Nathaniel Zacchaeus
Ahead of the kick-off of the hardship protests billed for a nationwide show as of Thursday, August 1, apprehension may have started to build in the ranks of protesters and their organisers.
This is because a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has barred protesters from marching on the streets of the nation’s capital.
The court action seems to have tallied with the requests and positions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who had both requested the protesters to subscribe to an enclosed module of action rather than freely roaming the streets.
As it now stands, the court order has thrown a spanner in the wheel of the protesters as they have been restricted to using only the MKO Abiola Stadium for their campaign.
Ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by Wike, the FCT minister, Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Orji, yesterday ordered a restriction of the participants in the proposed #EndBadGovernance Protest from the streets.
The protesters had asked the minister to give them access to Eagle Square, but Wike asked them to follow due process.
Meanwhile, trouble may not have been averted as the protesters, according to reports, have vowed to make use of the facility with or without approval from the authorities.
In his ruling, the judge held that the protest should be held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as the National Stadium.
Justice Orji ruled, “Leave is granted to the claimant/applicant (FCT Minister) to serve the originating processes (writ of summons) and all subsequent processes in this suit on the defendants/respondents by substituted means to wit: through newspaper publications and print media.
“The 1st Defendants/Respondents, while embarking on the planned protest from 1/8/2024 to 10/8/2024 in exercise of their constitutional rights, are to use the Moshood Abiola Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja only, and are restrained by an order of interim injunction from gathering in any other place pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
*Lagos police deactivate explosive device, vow to enforce court restrictions on timing, venues
In another development, the police in Lagos State have foiled an attack in the state, following the discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Sources close to the Lagos State Police Command revealed that the police detonated the lethal weapon.
A statement made available to journalists disclosed that the device was found by a police officer while he was on his way along the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.
From the snippets gathered, the discovery was said to have been reported at the EOD-CBRN Base at Ikeja.
The report said an officer sighted an unregistered white Corolla car parked on the main road close to the gate of PMF 23 Barracks on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.
A young man reportedly alighted from the car, carefully dropped a bag by the side of the Nigeria Customs Service (Federal Operations Unit) fence, returned into the vehicle, and zoomed off.
In response to the claim, the Commissioner of Police (CP) said, “A team of EOD-CBRN from the Base was quickly mobilised to the scene to identify the object and render the same safe.
And, on arrival, it was discovered to be an IED.
He further informed; “Subsequently, the area was cordoned off. SOP adopted, IED rendered safe. Thereafter, taken to a safe distance for detonation.”
The police also confirmed that the residual of the IED was collected for further analysis and investigation.
The Lagos State Police Command has assured residents of its commitment to maintaining peace and order in the state as nationwide protests are set to begin on Thursday, August 1.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement yesterday which stated that the command will not allow any person or group to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, including the right to freedom of movement and dignity.
*Cut down protest to one day, Adegboruwa urges organisers
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has appealed to the protesters to reduce the protest to one day or a maximum of three days.
The protests, which gained momentum on social media, are slated to be held from August 1 to 10.
In a statement yesterday, hours to the eve of the protest, Adegboruwa urged the protesters to be orderly and peaceful as they go out on Thursday to protest in the locations already sent to the police.
Saluting the courage of the protesters, the senior lawyer called for engagement with the government on the issues raised to address the same.
He also urged the protest organisers to set up different teams to engage with various government agents for immediate action.
Adegboruwa said, “Even our forefathers in their graveyards have heard your voices loud and clear.
”The way and manner in which the government has been running helter-skelter since the announcement of the protests shows the moral victory of your campaigns and your struggles.
“What we have done in the past few days is to facilitate dialogue with the law enforcement and security agencies.
”The insistence by the Inspector-General of Police of ‘credible intelligence’ with plans for violence is a confirmation of the desperation of the government to abort the protests by sponsoring hooligans and thugs to disrupt the protests.
”This is currently ongoing in many parts of Lagos State.
“I, therefore, appeal that the protests be orderly and peaceful and conducted in the locations you have already sent to the police.
“Also, let the days of the protests be reduced to one day or the maximum three days and thereafter be suspended.
”Let your demands be made known to the government and then give time to address them.
“I do not doubt that you can prosecute the protests as intended and that you have the support and prayers of the majority of our people, in all your actions.”
”But let us give room for more dialogue. I offer to join you in this, anytime. I make this appeal in the interest of peace, progress, and tranquillity of our dear nation,” he added.
The lawyer-activist, who argued against the firing of ‘a single bullet’, also warned security agencies against the arbitrary arrests of citizens and deployment of the military.
His words: “The law recognises the right to peaceful protests while mandating the police to offer protection to unarmed civilians during their protests.
”Let no single bullet be fired tomorrow, let there be no arbitrary and unlawful arrest of citizens, and let there be no deployment of the military to tackle engagements.
“The protesters are our children and our citizens. They certainly do not deserve bullets and crackdowns.”
Adegboruwa further advised President Bola Tinubu and his team to immediately address the issues serenading the protest, by reversing the twin policies of oil subsidy removal and currency devaluation.
The senior lawyer said the policies have only worked to cripple the economy and throw Nigeria into its worst economic crisis.
He also advised the president on the need to urgently end the wastage by government functionaries, arising from their lavish lifestyles.
On a note of surprise, he asked, “How can the president buy a new jet, the vice-president renovate his house with N21bn, and the people are expected to suffer?
”How do you widen your wealth and luxuries and preach to the people to tighten their belts?
“President Tinubu must end all forms of bad governance, doling out billions in religious pilgrimages, while handing out pittance to students as loans?” he said.
*Govs intensify call for dialogue
Governors, in their respective states, yesterday went a-begging for a stay of action on the planned protests.
On another note, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on those planning to stage the “End Bad Government” protest in his domain to shelve their plans and embrace dialogue with the government for their concerns to be addressed.
In a 20-minute address yesterday at the Governor’s Office in Alausa, Sanwo-Olu said there is no need for the protest.
He stressed that so much was being done by the government across sectors to alleviate the pains of the citizens and set the country on the path of sustainable prosperity.
The governor acknowledged that peaceful protests remain the fundamental rights protected by the constitution, just as he acknowledged the ‘noble intentions’ of the concerned citizens to air their grievances.
He, however, sent a strong warning to elements with sinister tendencies who may want to exploit the demonstration to execute their plans.
According to the governor, the state government had received and would implement the court order restricting the demonstration to two places — Peace Park and Gani Fawehinmi Park, both in Ojota, on the outskirts of the nation’s former capital.
Sanwo-Olu advised anyone who wished to protest to obey the order and limit their demonstration to the approved locations.
The Lagos helmsman, however, queried the need for anyone to protest and the outcome to come from shutting down the economy against the backdrop of various efforts and interventions the government had made.
He said: “For a few weeks now, the nation has woken up to threats of protests aimed at what the organisers have called ‘an End to Bad Government’, beginning from the first day of August to the 10th day.
”While the original proponents of the idea of peaceful protests may have noble intentions, some of the narratives it has occasioned about its instrumentality for change of government by another means other than the one constitutionally provided for is disturbing.
“It is pertinent to ask if the protest is a catalyst for progress the nation requires at this time.
”Will such a protest suddenly ensure that all of our challenges disappear in 10 days? Will the protest suddenly ensure the prices of foodstuff drop by the 11th day?
”Will shutting down the economy for 10 days inspire economic growth we earnestly desire?
”I hold the strong view that a protest at this time will do none of these things for us as a nation.
”Rather, it would roll back the modest gains that we have made in various facets of our socio-economic life as a people.”
The governor also acknowledged the challenges being faced by the country, pointing out that the government had been addressing them headlong.
*Edo
In Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has urged the organisers of Thursday’s protest to consider alternative forms of protest outside of street marches and processions.
He urged the public to be vigilant and not allow miscreants to hijack the peaceful protests for their devious plans.
The governor was speaking against the backdrop of the tension and agitation across the country in the wake of Thursday’s calls for the End Bad Governance protests.
The state-wide broadcast is ahead of the protest occasioned by the difficult living conditions that Nigerians have endured, particularly in the last year, arising from various policies the Federal Government had implemented.
Obaseki said he had earlier expressed disappointment over how fuel subsidy was removed without proper planning, which has now led millions of Nigerians into extreme poverty and untold hardship.
And, ahead of Thursday’s protest, the governor has assured that the state government has mobilised security agencies in the state to be on high alert and ensure that law and order are maintained and provide protection for genuine protesters who must follow the law and ensure that they carry out their protest in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The governor reassures all law-abiding citizens that they can go about their lawful businesses without fear, as the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property remains steadfast.
*Ogun
Ogun State High Court yesterday ordered the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to limit their activities to four locations in the state.
The court also restricted the time frame of the protests to between 8am and 5pm.
Granting an application moved by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), Justice O. Ogunfowora directed that all protests under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria slogan or any other slogan from 1 August 2024 to 10 August 2024 must be limited in place and time.
The judge prohibited the protesters from protesting anywhere in the state except at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
The Attorney-General also explained that the four locations are across the four divisions of the state in the three senatorial districts, allowing protesters in those vicinities to conveniently participate in the protests under adequate protection and without infringing on the rights of any non-protesting members of the public.
The judge, in his ruling, also prohibited any protest from taking place outside the hours of 8:00 am to 5pm.
The judge further directed the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to enforce the order and ensure that the protests are held only in the specified locations and during the periods stated in the order.
He declared that the order would last for seven days and ordered the state to serve the application on notice within that period.
Justice Ogunfowora shortened the time for the protesters to respond to the application to 72 hours.
The case was adjourned to 6 August 2024.
*Rivers
In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday declared that there is credible information that ‘some mercenaries and thugs’ had been hired from outside, in the guise of protest, to destroy valuable infrastructure assets in the state.
He maintained that this is even though Rivers residents have already resolved not to participate in the planned 10 days of nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1.
Fubara made the revelation when he addressed representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stakeholders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt.
He insisted that several public and clandestine activities of the self-styled detractors over the last months are clear indications that Rivers State does have unrepentant enemies who will do everything possible within their means to destabilise the state.
*Kano
In Kano State, Governor Kabir Yusuf, has engaged members of the Kano community drawn from various sectors of life ahead of the nationwide protest.
The participants at the meeting include traditional leaders, Ulama, members of the business community, the academia, captains of industry, and women’s organisations.
Addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, Kabir said the engagement was meant to have a thorough discussion with a view to finding solutions to the present predicament bedeviling the people of the state.
This is made known in a statement made available to newsmen by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The governor affirmed that people have the constitutional right to engage in protest, yet it should be peaceful and devoid of any act capable of causing unrest or threat to the security of lives and properties.
The state’s helmsman tasked the unidentified organisers of the protest to be extra cautious and law-abiding and avoid being used by the enemies of Kano state to plunge the state into chaos and pandemonium.
The governor also added that the Kano State Government has been mulling the establishment of a Price Control Board to ensure the stabilisation of prices of essential commodities in the nooks and crannies of the state.
He frowned at the actions of the police in the state, calling on them to sit up and do the needful in carrying out their mandate of protecting the lives and properties of the entire people of the state.
In his address, the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II lamented the difficult conditions in the country caused by poor economic conditions, citing good leadership as a means of improving the living conditions of people.
He admonished huge investments in the state by well-to-do individuals for the creation of jobs and resuscitation of the state’s economic viability and prosperity.
*After the emergency session, Senate asks protesters to jettison action
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday held an emergency plenary to deliberate on urgent national issues.
The Senators were already on their annual long vacation before they were recalled to attend to matters of urgent national importance.
They passed a resolution urging planners of the proposed nationwide protest against hunger, billed to start today, to jettison the idea.
The Red Chamber said that one year was too short a time to assess the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The Senate resolution was taken after about two hours of closed-door session.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, after the adoption of the resolution, said, “On the protest slated for tomorrow (today), 1st of August, 2024, the Senate kindly urges the planners to shelve their plans because one year is not long enough for the policies being implemented by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu to yield the desired results.”
He said, “The Senate urges the protesters to give the government more time to address their demands, considering the measures being put in place to ameliorate the situation in the country.
“Some of them are the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in naira, the Implementation of Students Loan Act, the assent recently granted to the Southeast Development Commission and the Northwest Development Commission, bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots.
The Senate, and the entire National Assembly, is willing to legislate on all matters that will bring about succour to Nigerians in general.”
