Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose’s overwhelming support for 2Face Idibia’s February 6 protest seems to have taken a new dimension. In a statement
Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose’s overwhelming support for 2Face Idibia’s February 6 protest seems to have taken a new dimension. In a statement by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka on Thursday, February 2, 2016, Fayose said Nigerians do not need Police permit to hold any peaceful protest. Reacting to claims by Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni that criminals might hijack the planned protest, Governor Fayose noted that the security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the Police.
“Apart from Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which says that every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, the Court of Appeal already affirmed that protest or gathering do not require police permit or interference.
“The duty of the police to secure Nigerians is mandatory, and not optional. Therefore, if there is any intelligence report suggesting the possibility of criminals hijacking the process, it is the duty of the police to provide security cover for the protesters.
“The APC-led federal government must be made to understand that leadership is about accountability. To be accountable, leaders must listen to public opinion either by civil or peaceful protest.
“Court of Appeal affirmed in its judgment in Inspector General of Police Vs All Nigerians Peoples Party that protest or gathering do not require a police permit or interference as obtainable in advanced democracy.
“Most importantly, the protest is said to be for and about good governance. So who is afraid of the protest? Who does the police represent or is representing on this issue?
“Nigerians are hungry and angry, our currency is now above N500 to $1. If Nigerians want to show their anger, no one should prevent them. Nepotism, extra-judicial killings, disobedience to court orders and human rights abuses must stop.
“The conscience is an open wound and the guilty is afraid. If the APC-led Federal Government is now acting as if the protest is against it, it means the federal government has accepted to be guilty as charged.
“Like I said before, I support the protest.”
In the same vein, a Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has said nothing, including the police, can stop the planned peaceful rally being organised by the musician. Adegboruwa said Owoseni’s statement was an attempt to intimidate Nigerians who wish to partake in the rally, adding that it could never deter veterans, and indeed the deprived, oppressed and hungry people of Nigeria. The lawyer said,
“For the information of the police commissioner, Nigeria is a democratic country governed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Section 39 of the constitution grants freedom of expression, including the right to be heard and to disseminate information and ideas. Section 40 grants the right to associate and gather together. Section 38 grants the right to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly.
“I believe that Mr. Fatai Owoseni has a copy of the constitution, to guide his actions and utterances on this matter, instead of threatening innocent and law-abiding citizens, who are responsible for his salary. The issue of police permit for citizens to gather freely, expired with the coming into force of the 1999 Constitution and we cannot now go back to the military era of shutting up citizens from legitimate expressions.”
Vowing that the rally could not be stopped, Adegboruwa urged the good people of Nigeria, especially those who reside in Lagos, to join en mass at Ikeja, for the rally on February 6, 2017.
“We cannot be intimidated in our own country, by the same people who are paid to protect us”, he added.
