October 1 Protest Will Hold, You Can’t Stop It” Organisers To Police

Organisers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest, has declared that the police, Department of State Services, as well as the military can not stop the protest from going as planned.

The organizers as also written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to request for security during the demonstration. According to them the protest is a fundamental right and they would not submit to any security agent.

Nigeria will celebrate it 64th Independence Day on Tuesday October 1st. This is also the day that some Nigerian youth had taken to protest against the hardship going on in the country.

The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu. Also, Director of Mobilisation of the group, Damilare Adenola, said mobilisation efforts had begun. They said that Nigerians were mobilising from different parts of the country for the protest.

Sanyaolu said that the inspector General of Police has been informed about the protest locations in the country.

The group explained that the FCT protest will be held at Eagle Square, the same venue that will be used for independence day parade. The Lagos State protest will take place at the ikeja under bridge.

The organizers noted that the protest to be all over the country. Adding that, the only thing that can stop the protest is if there is immediate removal of fuel subsidy.

The IG, Egbetokun, had directed the Force zonal and state commands to deploy men from Monday, September 30. To strategic locations until a stand-down order was given.

Egbetokun also directed that the policemen should dress in camouflage with hats. Although, he asked the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to engage and discourage available civil society groups and individuals from participating in the protest.

A leader of the protest, Omoyele Sowore, also said that the youths were not afraid of the police. He added that the protest would hold as planned.

Sowore explained that the reported fear of some people about the possibility of violence during the protest was not true.

Lawyer to the organisers, Deji Adeyanju, said it was wrong for the police to summon protesters who were exercising their right.

The counsel also stated that the crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protesters in August. Was to discourage people from participating in further demonstrations in the country.

He also said the arrest and detention of some of the demonstrators would not stop the youths from joining the #FearlessOctober1 protest.

Also, Adenola said the organisers would not be deterred by the deployment of security agencies.

He added that the #FearlessOctober1 demonstration was a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance protest, which took place in August. He also added that the demonstration was necessary. This is due to the failure of the Federal Government to address their demands.

He listed some of their demands. Which includes, the reversal of the subsidy removal policy, amendment of the constitution, overhauling of the legislature, and the unconditional release of protesters in police custody.

Peluola Adewale, the secretary of the Democratic Socialist Movement. Said no harassment or intimidation from any security agencies would stop the protest.

He disclosed that about eight civil society groups would participate in the demonstration in Lagos State.

Adewale warned the government against sponsoring hoodlums to infiltrate genuine protesters during the protests. He also stated that the demonstration would be peaceful in Lagos.