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?

I also asked him if he will direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the said thugs to serve as a deterrent to those who are planning to cause unrest. The IGP, sadly, did not address this particular question, despite that he was reminded of my question by other participants.

The IGP also advised (or should I say took the position) that the protests should be confined to specific locations).

This made me to ask the IGP directly if the police will disrupt any protest that is held outside the locations that have been communicated to him; given his advice that protesters should not embark on marches or rallies but should be restricted to identified venues.

The IGP responded to me that there is no plan to disrupt rallies on the road or any protest held outside the ‘designated’ venues.

However, he further indicated that the police cannot guarantee the security of protesters who are not confined to the locations that have been communicated to him or CPs in the various States.

My final contribution was to remind the IGP to be mindful of the fact that there have been IGPs before him, and that he should be thinking about legacy and his place in history, and that if this protest is peaceful, history will remember him for his role, but that if anyone is killed by the police, it will also be recorded for him as his legacy.

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.

Inibehe Effiong

In a saner clime, only this is enough to get the incompetent IGP fired.

Tinubu what is the big deal in reversing the PMS to 200 or 300 knowing fully well government is about the people? I use to like this man until became the president. Are you sure something is not wrong with aso Rock? Government need to make a serious sacrifice for Nigerians, Nigerians are going through a lot.

In the country where Agbero is the President do you expect sane people there to exercise their rights

Good

I also have a question for the IGP
Is there a right time to protest? If yes give us a date.

All the money used to pay for palliatives and other paddings including the money used to campaign against the protest could be used to pay for fuel subsidy so the price per ltr can go back to N200. This is one "palliative" that'll reach EVERYONE positively and whoops... problem half solved! Also just the same way naira was floated, "unfloat" it and open the borders for food while we grow our own grains so the poor can breathe! Take a closer look at the subsidy payment and block loopholes!

So the IGP should encourage gathering in areas forbidden by a court of the republic...I see it as a desperate act to unleash the obidients' venom. But the State is proactive.

weak institutions

See, If Falana is not careful, he would be dragged in a way he won't like.

I don't know why that man just like anything confusion and chaos

Jagaban is always a step ahead of them.
-Kiss the truth!

Pictures and videos of Tinubu leading protest in the past is just flooding the social media right now.
The one I saw this evening is when Tinubu led a protest calling for a revolution.
Could this be KARMA at work?

Protest is the right of the citizens

Lawless country

I see

SisterJolade:
In a saner clime, only this is enough to get the incompetent IGP fired.

In that same saner clime, is he even qualified?

And you're who??

The IGP is a compassionate person, he cares far more about the safety of the protesters than even the protesters themselves

These guys bin wan block major roads before??

A confined protest is like mocking the protesters

kilmot:
Good

I also have a question for the IGP
Is there a right time to protest? If yes give us a date.

He may say 2050

The North and the South west have destroyed Nigerian economy.

O

helinues:
See, If Falana is not careful, he would be dragged in a way he won't like.

I don't know why that man just like anything confusion and chaos

Shut up,u never pay our stipend,chop alone agboro

Tinubu knows , it's time of rage from Nigerians.

what goes around comes around,
When they were protecting against Jonathan they didn't know it will letter be there turn.

helinues:
See, If Falana is not careful, he would be dragged in a way he won't like.

I don't know why that man just like anything confusion and chaos

You praised him when he protested against GEJ but today he's your enemy for trying to protest against thifnubu.

YOUR HYPOCRISY IS LEGENDARY.

SisterJolade:
In a saner clime, only this is enough to get the incompetent IGP fired.

what is stopping u from to the saner clime ?

helinues:
See, If Falana is not careful, he would be dragged in a way he won't like.

I don't know why that man just like anything confusion and chaos

What's even funny is that those he's trying hard to please never took a day to hail him or make him trend on Twitter

I'm waiting for the day he will sing Tinubu's praises,Dem go drag am ehn, him go no why Soyinka no longer send them

SisterJolade:
In a saner clime, only this is enough to get the incompetent IGP fired.

You mean your saner clime where people were sent to jail for blocking major roads during protest??

https://www.nairaland.com/8168407/protesters-jailed-four-years-uk

COMRADES, IGP should as a matter of fact protect all this protesters because era of impunity is over
Allow Nigerians to express their dissatisfaction with this government

These people has shown how primitive they can be.