By Inibehe Effiong
I attended an ‘interesting’ meeting called by the Inspector General of Police to discuss the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests scheduled to commence on August 1.
The meeting also had in attendance the Force PRO, Falana SAN, Adegboruwa SAN and some other civil society leaders and activists.
The meeting was held virtually this afternoon and had about 16 attendees. The meeting was convened by the IGP in response to the letter by Mr Adegboruwa to the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement (TIB).
It became necessary to invite other groups and individuals for a broader discussion.
When I was invited to speak, I asked the IGP specifically if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing some thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protesters and warning people not to join the protest?
My deductions are:
1. The IGP assured that security will be provided to protesters who are gathered at the venues that have been communicated to the IGP and CPs.
2. The police has not taken threats made by government sponsored thugs against peaceful protesters seriously.
3. The police has accepted that there is nothing that can stop the protest from taking place.
4. The IGP said that the military will not be deployed during the protests, but that they may be invited if there’s violence that the police cannot control.
5. I am encouraging people to write to the CPs in the various States and notify them of the places they want to converge.
6. Rallies and marches should be done in a coordinated manner.
History will vindicate the just.
Peoplesmind