The Lagos State chapter of the Take It Back Movement has fired a salvo at Governor Sanwo-Olu for the government’s attempt to limit protests through a court order, asserting that the action constitutes an abuse of judicial privilege.
In a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagos Take It Back Movement coordinator Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeeq decried the government’s underhanded court order restricting #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to two locations.
The letter underscored the government’s culpability in limiting protesters’ freedom of association, stating further that the government is expected to assume responsibility for providing transportation between these locations.
The letter reads, “It has come to the attention of the Take It Back Movement in Lagos state that your Attorney General surreptitiously obtained a court order designating and restricting protesters for #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria to two locations in the Lagos Metropolis. At the same time, we frown at this abuse of judicial privilege to stifle freedom of association; the movement at an emergency meeting wishes to inform you that since this was your administration’s decision, you must bear responsibility for the movement of protesters from several designations in Lagos to and from Peace Park in Ketu and Gani Fawehinmi Justice Park in Ojota in Lagos.”
The letter continued by laying out several specific convergence points for protesters throughout Lagos, including the Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, and others.
“Some of the designated convergence points for participating citizens include
1. Lekki Toll Gates
2. Ikorodu Bus Park
3. Okota Link Bridge
4. LASU Campus gates
5. Iyana Ipaja Underbridge
6. Agege Pen Cinema
You will soon be informed of other designated convergence points for protesters.”
The letter further revealed that the buses provided by the Lagos State government must adhere to specific guidelines for cleanliness, safety, and comfort to accommodate the protesters’ daily travel between designated convergence points. The Take It Back Movement cautioned that the ten-day timeline for the protests could potentially be exceeded, emphasizing the need for adequate preparation and planning by the Lagos State government to ensure protesters’ safety throughout the duration of the demonstrations.
“The buses to be provided must be clean, safe and air-conditioned.
The buses must arrive at this designated arrears as early as 6 a.m. and return protesters to their convergence points at 6 p.m. every night between August 1st and 10th, 2024. The protest days may drag beyond ten days, so the Lagos state government is advised to make contingency plans for the dusting of these actions.
“Your failure to provide buses for the protesters means they (protesters) would begin march/walk to the court designated parks in the city on a daily basis for the duration of the #EndBadGovernance direct actions.”
As the letter came to a close, the Take It Back Movement warned the Lagos State government that rallies and processions would be held during the #EndbadGovernance protests, urging bus operators to park a safe distance from the designated areas to avoid potential disruptions or altercations.
“Finally, be informed that there will be rallies and processions throughout the #EndbadGovernance actions, so your bus operators are advised to find and park a safe distance from the areas designated by protesters for these activities.”
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