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Hardship: Lagos Igbo Leaders Reject Protests, Say Promoters Are Faceless

July 31, 2024

Some Igbo residing in Lagos state have rejected the planned hunger protest slated for August 1.

The south easterners made up of 16 groups held a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday where they opposed the 10-day protest declared by some pro-democracy bodies in the country and other Nigerians.

The Source reported that the #Endbangovernance protest, according to the promoters is being organised to force government hands to intervene in the current economic hardship in the country.

The protets the magazine also reported has polarised the country between those who support and those who said it must not take place.

Making their position known yesterday, the Igbo under the Coalition of Igbo political and social-cultural groups and market leaders in Lagos says its members will shun the protest.

According Anslem Njoku, the coaltion is made up of 16 groups, including the Council of Ndieze in Lagos, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, South-East Forum in Lagos, Igbo Mandate, seven Igbo town unions, the Igbo-speaking community, Igbo Vision APC Lagos, Igbo Market Men and Women Associations, Ndigbo in APC amongst others.

Njoku said the promoters of the protest are faceless persons who are not known to the coalition, which has decided not to be part of it, saying “we are distancing ourselves and the entire Ndigbo in Lagos from the planned protest”.

He urged the organisers of the protest to dialogue with the government through “constructive criticism”.

Anselm Njoku, the coalition’s coordinator, said the “faceless organisers of this planned protest are not known to us, not Igbos, and are merely hiding under Ndigbo names, dropping Igbo names to create confusion and gather credibility”.

According to him, “Nigerians should develop a culture of dialogue with the government and deploy constructive criticism without resorting to unnecessary provocative protests and violence.

“It is in this regard that we enjoin all Igbo of all extraditions, stakeholders, residents, traders, and captains of industries not to join in the protest.

“Lagos is Yoruba land, and Ndigbo, who are residents here, have contributed immensely to its development, so they cannot be used, coerced in whatever form, to destroy assets.

“We are not destruction-prone and cannot be part of those seeking to destroy what we partly built. Ndigbo are not wired for destruction but develop wherever we are residing.

“Let it be known that from all intelligence gatherings, the faceless organisers of this planned protest are not known to us, not Igbos, and are merely hiding under Ndigbo names, dropping Igbo names to create confusion and gather credibility,” he said.

Protest: Tinubu Approves N50,000 Monthly For Niger Delta Youths

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 31, 2024

No fewer than 10,000 Niger Delta Youths will receive a monthly stipends of N50,000 from the federal government, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said.

Akpabio made the revelation on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers state during a stakeholder event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

He said the approval was made by President Tinubu as part of his efforts to stop Niger Deltans from participating in the planned protest slated for August 1-10 by pro-democracy groups and other Nigerians.

The protest, according to the organiser, is necessary to press home their demand on the government to address the current economic hardship in the country, which they blamed on some unfriendly policies introduced by the Tinubu administration.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting yesterday, Akpabio stated that the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme would last for an initial 12 months with the possibility of extension.

According to him, the scheme is the government’s response to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the region, saying “the economic challenges in our nation are known by President Tinubu” who is trying to address them.

He urged the people of the region to shun the protest which he claimed is being organised by “copycats’ who wants to replicate the Kenya episode in the country, saying the president is addressing the infrastructural problems in the region.

The magazine reported that Kenya has been shut down for weeks by angry youths protesting against the administration of President William Ruto.

Akpabio said, “The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement this scheme immediately to support 10,000 youths with N50,000 monthly to cushion the current hardship.

“We acknowledge the severe impact caused by oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta and are taking prompt action to address these issues.

“The economic challenges in our nation are known by President Tinubu and are already receiving required attention to address them.

“The organisers are merely copycats imitating the situation in Kenya, not minding the potential anarchy their protest will bring upon this country.

“The issues facing the country are currently being addressed, and so, there is absolutely no need to protest,” he said.

Recall that Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force had on Monday said the region will not take part in the protest because President Tinubu has done well for the Niger Delta.

‘Don’t bring your hunger protest” to the Niger Delta, the repentant militant warned.

Hunger: “Protest While We Enjoy”- Akpabio Mocks Angry Nigerians

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 31, 2024

As Nigerians are gearing up for the nationwide protest on August 1 Senate President, Godswill Akpabio appears to have added petrol to fire after he said political office holders will continue to enjoy themselves by ‘eating’ from the government while other Nigerians chose to protest.

The controversial Senate president made the remark on Tuesday at a meeting with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, executive management, Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

“We are not interested in regime change. Let us own this government. Those who want to protest can protest. But let us be there eating,” Akpabio said yesterday.

Akpabio’s remark has angered not a few Nigerians, and it comes less than 24 hours the 10-day protest declared by pro-democracy groups in the country to demand a better government for the people.

Not a few Nigerians are angry that they are hungry due to the hash policies introduced by the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and convergence of the foreign exchange which have brought untold hardship to many Nigerians.

Amidst the hunger and anger in the country, not a few Nigerians have blamed Akpabio and other government officials for living ostentatious lifestyles using scarce resources, while urging Nigerians to make sacrifice for the country.

For instance, the National Assembly which Akpabio heads as the Chairman have approved bogus salaries and allowance for themselves, apart from acquiring luxurious automobiles worth millions of naira for themselves, which analysts say have increased cost of governance.

The total monthly package of a Nigerian lawmaker in the Senate and House of Representatives is at least N30 million, while the minimum wage is N70,000.

To save cost of governance, not a few Nigerians have called for the scrapping of the Senate, reduction in salary and allowance of government officials among other bet tightening measures

Tinubu, Uzodimma, Abiodun, Ooni Seek Unity Of Southern Nigeria Monarchs

The Source

July 31, 2024

Hope Uzodimma - Unity Of Southern Nigeria Monarchs

President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State have called on the traditional rulers from the Southern part of Nigeria to unite in the interest of their area in particular and the country in general.

The trio spoke on Tuesday at the Rockview Hotel in Owerri during the formal inauguration of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council where President Tinubu was the Special Guest of Honour.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, President Tinubu noted that,” Nigeria will never go down with the support of traditional rulers.”

President Tinubu asserted: “With the collective support of Southern and Northern traditional rulers, Nigeria will never go down because Nigeria is a great Nation, a rich country that is naturally gifted and endowed.”

The President who sent his best wishes to the leadership and members of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council expressed government’s willingness to support the inauguration and it’s expected gains.

He expressed profound respect for the monarchs as custodians of culture and tradition in the country and an unavoidable force that can be relied upon for the pursuit of peace and unity of the Nation, noting that “no Nation can do without your advice and guidance.”

President Tinubu commended the efforts of Governor Uzodimma in coordinating the traditional rulers and said, “with unity there is nothing Nigeria cannot achieve because Nigeria is a rich country.”

While pledging the support of Government to the Council, the President informed the monarchs that Government will not succumb to blackmail and urged them to appeal to the parents in their domain to restrain their children from the planned nationwide protest which he described as “senseless.”

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma as the host, said that the constitution of the Council is a journey that started in 2013 aimed at forming synergy that will foster common ideas like their counterparts from the North.

He said the synergy was most needed now that the country is in search of peace, unity and inclusiveness.

Explaining that the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council will be used to “rally support and promote our culture and traditional heritage,” Governor Uzodimma expressed a sense of fulfillment that the inauguration will close the deep difference in the Niger or better still, help in the much talked about exchange of hands across the Niger.

While congratulating all those who were involved in the initiative, the Governor emphasised that it will be for the peace of the Country. “It will enhance the unity of the Southern and Northern Traditional Rulers, to speak with one voice and close the gap always noticed in culture, tradition and ethnic suspicion.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded the monarchs that as the fathers of the Nation they must ‘’preach peace, work peace and practice peace’’ in their areas as well as “maintain harmonious relationship between the South and the North.”

He reminded them that they already have a constitutional role assigned to them by God to play in Nigeria, and that as the first point of call in the adjudication of matters in their domain, it makes them powerful, hence they should also play their role with the fear of God.

Governor Uzodimma urged them to speak with one voice on issues of nation building, shun partisan politics as doing so will erode their credibility.

He regretted that the involvement of traditional rulers in partisan politics often leads to government taking drastic measures against the traditional institutions.

Continuing, he enjoined them to team up with the Government of the day to bring peace, unity, growth and development to their communities, States and Nation at large.

Governor Uzodimma went further to advice the traditional rulers to take their succession plan seriously as doing so will make succession in their community crisis free.

Also, he advised those of them who have refused to leave in their domain to have a change of heart as their actions and inactions are capable of exacerbating crime and criminality in the Communities.

“When you live in your community your presence will stem off banditry, kidnapping, and other vices.”

On the efforts by the President to cushion the effects of hardship through the return of financial autonomy in the Local Government, the Governor said the effort will bring governance to the grassroot and insisted that “the reforms by Mr. President are for economic recovery.”

He pleaded with the monarchs and their subjects to be a little more patient as the pains they are going through would be overcome. “Tinubu will take us to the destination.”

In his address, the Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, appreciated the Governor of Imo State for successfully coordinating and hosting the event aimed at the unification of the Southern traditional rulers as well as the unification of the culture and traditional heritage of the South.

“It is going to strengthen the bond between traditional rulers and the government,” Abiodun said and commended the initiative and its thoughtfulness.

He described it is a viable platform through which the traditional rulers can perform their advisory role to government, enhance Community engagement and pave the way for a peaceful Nigeria.

“They can help prevent commotion by enhancing harmony as they will close the gap between the governments and governed.”

He promised, on behalf of the Southern Governors, to support the traditional rulers to mobilise their community towards growth and development and reminded them to stay away from politics.

On the planned protest, Governor Abiodun said: “Protest is right but dialogue is better.”

He advised every citizen to avoid violence because of its negative consequence, reiterating that “Tinubu has remained committed to the welfare and betterment of Nigerians and requires only the support of Nigerians to achieve his planned goals.”

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council who is also the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwuisi said that the dream and vision of Governor Uzodimma has been achieved and thanked the Imo State Governor on behalf of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers for the inauguration.

He said the mission statement of the body is: “To work in synergy, for peace of Nigeria and the furtherance of the unity of the southern traditional institution,” while the aim of the body is “the creation of a Southern Traditional Rulers Council to work for better understanding and respect for our diverse culture in Southern Nigeria.”

The Ooni said in all, both the motto

(togetherness, strength and progress), mission statement and the aim are embedded in “unity to achieve a better country, to work together as a country and make Nigeria better and prosperous because Traditional Rulers are closer to the people and should take responsibilities in what is happening around them and not necessarily political leaders.”

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the technical committee members of the body by Akume, Uzodimma and Abiodun.

The occasion was graced by the Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Bunni, Senators, Federal House Members, Speaker and Members of the Imo State House of Assembly, Members of Imo State Expanded Executive Council, Captains of Industries, Traditional Rulers and other distinguished men and women from the 17 States of Southern Nigeria.

How Onyeka Onwenu Slumped, Died

The Source

July 31, 2024

By Charles Igbo

She’s gone. The elegant stallion. A name given to her by the Nigerian Media.

Onyeka Onwenu. She died doing what she loved to do most. Entertaining. Singing. Dancing. Bringing joy to the soul.

When the news of her passing broke Tuesday night, it sounded unbelievable. Not a few people thought, and felt it was a joke. But she was gone. With her sonorous voice. Her elegance. Her energetic performance.

Onyeka, the firebrand musician, song writer, journalist, actor, dancer, civil rights activist, Ada Mazi, proudly Igbo, disappeared from mother-earth when it was least expected. Just like that.

She was contracted to perform at the 80th birthday party of another proudly Igbo Lady- Stella Okoli, Pharmacist and the owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.

Onyeka herself was 72 years old. But age never interfered with her performance on stage. She usually gave it her all.

Her performance on this 30th July at Mrs Okoli’s birthday was no different.

She gave it her all. And sang a number of her hit songs to the admiration and applause of the adoring audience. They clapped and swayed to her melodious voice. Iconic songs. She danced along with them.

But that turned out to be her last performance on this side of God’s creation.

After the performance, she walked back to her seat, eye witnesses said. And, just like a joke, she slumped.

Rushed by a number of people to the high profile Redington Hospital for help, she simply gave up. Just like that, before the equally shocked medical crew.

Exhaustion? Perhaps? Stress? Perhaps? But those who should know attribute this unbelievable passing to cardiac arrest. How?, many ask in confusion. Did she have a heart disease she was not aware of? Probably. Or, did she push herself too hard? Who knows?

Whatever, Onyeka Onwenu is gone. She’s gone to sing no more. To dance no more. To act no more.

A native of Arondizogu, Imo State, Onyeka sprang to national consciousness with her world acclaimed documentary – “Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches”.

She delved in and out of politics, but was never successful.

She fared better in political appointments. She was once the Chairperson of Imo State Council of Arts and Culture. And was also, during the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, appointed the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

She died at the age of 72 years.

Ulonna Inyama, Wigwe University Registrar Dies In Abuja, Distraught Family Seeks Probe

The Source

July 31, 2024

Ulonna Inyama - Wigwe University Registrar

By Gideon Njoku

For the second time, tragedy has befallen the Inyama family of Mbaise, Imo State. In the same vein, by extension, the same tragedy, also, befell the Wigwe University, Rivers State, a baby of the late Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings who died, a few months ago in a fatal helicopter crash in the United States of America, USA, along with his wife and daughter.

In the current tragedy, the Registrar of the Wigwe University, the young, beautiful, brilliant, and vibrant Miss Ulonna Inyama, has just died in an Abuja hospital.

The circumstances surrounding her death is so confounding, so questionable, so inexplicable, that her distraught family is seeking for a probe.

Inyama had left Lagos for a meeting in Abuja. Family sources said while there, she had some discomfort, as a result of a fibroid affliction which, like very many women, she suffered from.

In some cases, it leads to heavy blood flow in women during their monthly flow. Depending on one’s age, one could seek for surgery, a procedure that is unnecessary when one has become menopaused.

According to this family source, when she had the fibroid discomfort in Abuja, she decided to visit a hospital.

She lived in Abuja for years where she was the Chief Personnel Officer and Head of Strategic Communications/Special Duties in the office of the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission before joining Wigwe University so, she obviously knew the right hospital to go to.

On arrival at the hospital, and after examination, the source said surgery was recommended. But she did not have enough blood as a result of the usually heavy monthly blood flow associated with fibroid in women. So, she was told she needed a blood transfusion which she did not object to.

According to family, that was when tragedy set it. She was allegedly transfused with the wrong blood type. She reacted to it. To conter it, she was, allegedly, given hydrocortisone injection. When that did not control it, she was transferred to another hospital where she, passed on.

Now, her distraught family is up in arms. They are asking questions. And are seeking for a probe. The family wants to know how such an inexplicable mistake could, allegedly, have been made. The family wants answers.

Said another family source: “The most disturbing thing is that as she was reacting to the blood type and was complaining of serious body pains, they continued with the transfusion, even after giving her hydrocortisone, instead of discontinuing with the transfusion.

Coincidentally, her father, Professor Nnadozie Inyama, a Professor of English at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, died in Abuja while on official duties a couple of years ago. Her mother is a retired senior Health Personnel at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu.

The late Ulonna was their first daughter.

Delta: How Honourable Joan Mrapkpor Was Kidnapped From Inside Church

Adesina Soyooye

July 31, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

On Tuesday, Honourable Joan Mrakpor went to Church to worship God and dedicate her activities in the new week to Him.

But Mrakpor, a former Member of the House of Representatives and a former Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State, got a treatment that shakes the faith. She was kidnapped inside the Church in Asaba before the Priests and the Congregation while the Church Service was going.

Eye witness accounts said it was so sudden that nobody had the time to know how many the kidnappers were and/or how they came or the type of vehicle they came in. While the Service was going on, he said the Congregation heard an unusual noise, unusual movement and commotion. Before they could process the situation, gun shots followed and everybody ran helter-skelter.

The gunmen went for their target, and in the process, killed a Police Personnel, apparently, attached to Honourable Mrakpor. Another Aide was critically shot and is hospitalised.

She recently stepped aside from her position as Commissioner to make way for her younger brother who is aspiring to the position of the Chairmanship seat of their Local Government Area.

The Church from where she was kidnapped is, ironically, close to the Headquarters of the Delta State Police Command.

The Spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, has confirmed the story and said the Police was on the trail of the hoodlums.

Nationwide Protest: Pressure Group Offers Emeka Anyaoku To Lead Dialogue

The Source

July 30, 2024

By Charles Igbo

A Pressure Group, Anya -Ndi -Igbo, has offered International Diplomat, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, to lead a pressure group of detribalised Nigerians, to dialogue between the Federal Government and the Organizers of the looming Nationwide Protest Against Hunger and Hardship.

The Nationwide Protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, promises to ground Nigeria for 10 days, beginning from August 1, 2024.

In what is seen by some people as a Fire Brigade approach, the Federal Government has been running helter-skelter, from pillar to post, in a bid to abort the protest. It has been meeting with State Governors, specifically, those of the ruling APC, high profile Traditional Rulers, and a number of Stakeholders to find a solution that would abort the protest.

In that panic mode, it has falsely accused a couple of innocent people, notably, Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential race, and Professor Pat Utomi, an LP chieftain, of being behind the protest. Both have strongly denied the allegation and threatened to end up in Court with Bayo Onanuga, a Presidential Spokesperson, who made the reckless allegation.

Obviously, the FG, in trying to abort the Protest genuinely fears a repeat of the #EndSARS protest which took a toll on human lives and Nigeria’s socio-economic situation.

While a number of groups, organisations and States have given the protest a wide berth, not a few others are intent on going ahead with it inspite of the assurances by President Bola Tinubu that his Government is honest in handling the bad situation in the country and would put things aright.

On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police held a virtual meeting with some of those intent on the rights of Nigerians to protest – notably, two Senior Lawyers, Femi Falana and Olu Adegboruwa, both SANs, in a bid to reach an agreement on the modalities of the protest.

The Military, on the other hand has promised to deal with “trouble makers who are intent on destroying the country.”

However, the Anya-Ndi-Igbo Group has a different view and solution. In a statement it released on Tuesday, it advised that: “Rather than threatening to clamp down on beleaguered citizens who are only clamouring for a Nigeria where life is meaningful, the President and Commander-in- Chief should address citizens on the actualstate of the nation and what the Government is doing to address the perversive anomie.”

It also recommends that “a detribalised Pressure Group, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, whose credibility and patriotism are not in doubt, should be nominated to mediate between the Government and the groups of aggrieved Nigerians with a view to proffering workable and implementable solutions to the current crisis.”

Following, full text of the press statement.

THE NIGERIA THAT WORKS FOR ALL: PROTEST, DIALOGUE OR BOTH

“Nigeria is at a crossroads and there is palpable fear in all the nooks and crannies of the country. The anxiety has been heightened by the proposed country-wide protest tagged #EndBadGovernance, scheduled to run from August 1 to 10, 2024. More disconcerting is the seeming panic in government circles and threats of punitive action against the would-be protesters.

“To be sure, the act of protest is legitimate and a veritable feedback mechanism in a democracy, which affords the citizens the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with government policies and actions. Through peaceful protests, aggrieved citizens are able to publicly voice their concerns and challenge acts of injustice, and by so doing, not only participate actively but also deepen the democratic process.

“So fundamental is the right to peaceful protest that it is enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and, indeed, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“It is also worth noting that Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Therefore, while it is the right of aggrieved citizens to protest peacefully, it is also the responsibility of government to give them maximum protection.

“While protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that their actions reflect the will and needs of the people, there is ample evidence that government’s manifest highhandedness and covert attempts to suppress such mass actions and popular ventilation of public grievances through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions always end up being counterproductive.

“The national imperative, therefore, is for both leaders and citizens to truthfully and sincerely examine the current state of affairs and agree on genuine actions for achieving security and implementing programs that give true meaning to the twin concepts of citizens’ welfare and well-being. It is a fact that without achieving the primary purpose of government, which is good governance, the accomplishment of any other purpose is impossible.

“Since those in authority have acknowledged that the welfare and well-being of the citizens have been challenged by government’s fiscal measures, there is need for restraint in dealing with citizens who are voicing their frustrations. Moreover, in a country where peace is historically tenuous, creating factions by fabricating accusations against individuals and nationalities is an ill-wind. We urge the security services to refrain from making bogus announcements of findings that suggest particular interests are fomenting trouble without providing evidence. Leadership is serious business; it should not be trivialized.

“Protests by their very nature are peaceful unless infiltrated and it is the responsibility of government to forestall such infiltration by identifying and arresting such malcontents who are the real enemies of the Nigerian state.

“In consideration of the foregoing, we make the following points as our contribution to dousing the current tension in the land, for consideration and implementation:

“1. Rather than threatening to clamp down on beleaguered citizens who are only clamouring for a Nigeria where life is meaningful, the President and Commander-in-Chief should address citizens on the actual state of the nation and what the government is doing to address the perversive anomie.

“2. The detribalized pressure group, the Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, whose credibility and patriotism are not in doubt, should be nominated to mediate between the Government and the groups of aggrieved Nigerians with a view to proffering workable and implementable solutions to the current crisis.

“3. If all entreaties fail and the planned protests must go on, then the security of the protesters and the sanctity of the protest must be guaranteed by all stakeholders, especially the security operatives.

“Anya-Ndi-Igbo believes in a Nigeria that works for all. Good governance should be a given and not something to fight for. Good governance is achievable.

“Long live Nigeria.

“Signed
Dr. Uma Eleazu – Chairman BoT
Engr. Chris Okoye – President
Prince Okey Nwadinobi – Secretary”

Planned Nationwide Protest: Court Restricts Organizers To Parks, Gardens

Akinwale Kasali

July 30, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

As the August 1, 2024, Nationwide Protest gathers momentum, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare of the Lagos High Court has ordered that organizers of the proposed hunger protest in Lagos remain in confined locations all through the duration of their demonstration in the State.

It further mandated that the organizers and other residents of Lagos aiming to participate in the demonstration should converge and remain inside the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, Ketu area of the State.

Aside from that, the Court ordered that the demonstrators would only be allowed to access the premises from 800am and leave at 6.00pm daily during the protest.

The Court gave the restriction order on Tuesday following a preemptive exparte application filed the State Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, seeking to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.

Listed in the application as co-defendants are Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group); Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement); Persons unknown and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

While moving his application before the court, Pedro argued that as the Chief Law Officer of the State and having been privy to notices by different interests who are for and against the nationwide protest, there is the need to protect the critical infrastructures of the state and prevent an irreparable loss of lives and property as witnessed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.

Pedro maintained that the Police in the State do not have sufficient manpower to provide security support for the protesters who planned to protest in all the local government councils and public highways and other areas of public access in the State.

He further argued that there is a need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums who are prepared to breach law and order and cause destruction in different locations in the State in the pretext of public protest against alleged bad governance.

According to Pedro, “In recognition of the citizens’ fundamental right to stage public protest against government policies and actions but prevent unlawful destruction of lives and properties in the process, the Lagos State Government has designated two public spaces and locations in the State where citizens can meet and converge to protest or express their displeasure against government. The locations are Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos State.

“Public protest in all the local government councils and public highways as well as other areas of public access in the State for 10 days is a deliberate plan to shut down the State and if this is allowed it will amount to economic sabotage.

“An order of court is required in the circumstances so as to protect the fundamental rights of 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents to protest and other residents opposed to the protest to go about their lawful without harassment, disturbance and destruction of public buildings/properties.”

After listening to his argument, Justice Ogundare granted all the reliefs sought in the application by the Lagos Attorney-General..

He held: AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or any other person(s) acting through them from converging and carrying out their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies, procession and meetings in Lagos State from the 1-10″ August 1-10, 2024 excerpt in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings, to wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park Ketu Lagos from 8 .00 am to 6pm pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th Defendant to protect the fundamental rights of the 1st to 5th Defendants/Respondents to freedom of association, peaceful public protest, procession and tallies in the approved designated location for peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinm Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road Ojota, Lagos and Peace Park, Ketu Lagos from 8am to 6pm on August 1-10, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“AN ORDER OF PRE-EMPTIVE REMEDY by way of interim preservative order is hereby granted directing the 6th Defendant to provide security support and traffic management support to the 1st to 5th Defendants at the approved designated location for their proposed peaceful public protest, rallies and meetings in Lagos State, To wit: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos State and Peace Park Ketu Lagos from 8am to 6pm on 1st -10% August, 2024 pending compliance with the pre-action protocol by the Claimant.

“An Order of substituted service of the Order of this Court in this matter, the Memorandum of Claim/Letter of Claim and all other pre action protocols documents on the 1st- 5th Defendants/Respondents by Newspaper publication in a National daily to wit: any other widely read newspaper and the service shall be deemed as good and sufficient service on the Defendants/Respondents.

Tinubu’s Lagos Technocrats In Government Cause Of Current Discontent In Nigeria – Fmr SGF Lawal Asks Tinubu To Remove Them

Ayodele Oni

July 30, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal has accused President Bola Tinubu of filling his cabinet with technocrats from Lagos who lack knowledge of how Nigeria works.

He equally advised the President to immediately address the nation, outlining immediate and long-term measures out of the current economic quagmire, as one of the measures to nip the planned nationwide protests against his administration.

Lawal, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that the president should reshuffle the cabinet to include “a mix of technocrats and politicians.”

Calling for a mix of technocrats and politicians in the Cabinet, Lawal pointed out that politicians are more adept at communicating with the people and have more stake in the successes or failures of a government.

“These Lagos technocrats who now fill the MDAs lack knowledge of the workings of Nigeria. Majority of them are rude, inaccessible, clannish.”

The former SGF also told the President to purposefully address the excessive nepotism in this Government, noting that “the South West dominates this Government excessively and obnoxiously.’

He added that the current Senate leadership operates a dictatorship in which no dissent is tolerated.

“This is insidiously building an imperceptible revolt that might soon explode. For example, Senator Ndume was sincerely speaking truth to power when he said the president is unreachable.

“A slavish legislature is neither good for your long-term interests or that of the country at large.

“People are taking exceptions to these ways of handling contrary opinions in the polity.

“In the North, we have taken great exception to how you or people acting on your behalf maltreated, Nasiru, Ningi, Ndume and lately Dangote.

“Your very close associates are also busy meddling in the affairs of Senior traditional institutions in the North West, which we believe has the intended purpose of dismembering Northern political and social harmony and hegemony.

“In the South East, your fixation on Peter Obi and the unfair treatment of Igbo businesses in Lagos is unsettling.

“There is also no denying the fact that political crises in Rivers State would have been long settled had the President shown an inclination to resolve them.

“It is instructive that no individual or institution in the South West has suffered such unjust treatment.

“These kinds of situations are some of the triggers of the current discontents across the nation because they generate dispersed pockets of frustration and malcontents that eventually aggregate into a large whole resulting in bad blood against the person of the president and the government.”

He also declared that the military has blatantly ignored the fact that internal security is wholly the constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian Police Force, wondering why they have been warning against the planned protests.

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