Nobel laureate , Wole Soyinka , has berated the
Nigerian police for seeking to stop the protest
planned by a musician , 2 face Idibia , against
Federal Government alleged non- performance .
He described the police action as undemocratic .
Though 2 face has backed down on the protest
scheduled for Monday (today ) in Lagos citing
security concern as reason , the National
Association of Nigerian Students , the Enough is
Enough group and a popular comedian ,
Olaseyitan Lawrence , popularly known as
Seyilaw, have said in spite of the musician ’ s
action , the protest would not be called off .
Soyinka ’ s position was contained in an article
he sent to an online medium, SaharaReporters , on
Sunday .
The Nobel laureate , who said he had sent a
message to the Inspector- General of Police ,
through the Lagos State Commissioner of Police ,
Fatai Owoseni , declared that he was shocked
to learn from media reports that the office of
the IG could issue a statement stopping the
protest .
He described the action as “ a huge
disappointment , a disservice to the cause of
democracy, tolerance of dissent , and principle
of inclusive governance . ”
Soyinka said , “ The police attempt to reverse the
hands of the democratic clock is even more
appalling at a time when open demonstrations
are taking place all over the world against the
policies of a recently elected President of the
United States , (Donald Trump ) , whose
democratic formula allegedly serves as
Nigeria ’ s adopted model . Across numerous
states of that federated nation , ongoing at this
very moment, is the public expression of
rejection of a President ’ s policy that has also
pitted the executive against the judiciary . We
have heard of no preventive action by the
police , or arrests of demonstrators .
“ Again and again , efforts , both under military
and civilian orders have been made to stifle the
rights to freedom of expression by Nigerian
governments – Buhari, Babangida , Obasanjo ,
Abacha , Jonathan … . and now again , Buhari ?
These efforts have been, and will always be
resisted. It is a moral issue , as old as settled
humanity . It has been settled in other parts of
the world. Nigeria cannot be an exception, not
as long as her citizens refuse to accept the
designation of second , even third - rate citizens . ”
Soyinka urged the police to respect the
constitutional rights of Nigerians .
He said , “ I hope that, even at this eleventh
hour, legality and the democratic imperative
will prevail . Finally, I shall be less than honest
if I do not add the following, mostly directed as
a warning to the very polity on whose behalf
the democratic war is joined , again and again :
“ Minus a minuscule but highly voluble
minority , mostly of pitiably retarded polluters
of the common zones of public interventions , I
do not know of any citizens of civilised
community who do not subscribe to the
fundamental Right of the Freedom of
Expression in any form, as long as it is
peaceful , and non- injurious to humanity . I
would hate to conclude that the security
agencies , or the government they serve , at this
stage of national development and recent
history , would choose to align themselves with
such an unteachable minority . ”
Meanwhile , Seyilaw has expressed his
disappointment at 2 face ’ s decision to opt out of
the planned rally.
Seyilaw said though he understood 2 face ’ s
concern , he was not deterred and “ God knows I
will still be at the stadium tomorrow whether
people gather there or not.
“ I have a right to be at the stadium too, ” Seyilaw
wrote on his Instagram page on Sunday .
Also , the Enough is Enough group , in a statement
on Sunday by its Executive Director , Yemi
Adamolekun , insisted that it would participate
in the protest, which is scheduled to hold in
Lagos and Abuja , even though 2face , who
invited the group to join the protest, had on
Saturday night said he was backing out based
on security concerns .
Adamolekun said , “ 2face Idibia ( 2 Baba)
informed us late last night that ongoing
conversations with security agencies have not
allayed his security concerns and so he had
decided not to participate in a physical protest .
We thanked him for inviting us when he first
decided on this protest, and informed him that
we believe it is important , despite the risks , to
continue with the demands , for the sake of
Nigerians who have put their trust in this
movement . ”
Also , the Deputy Coordinator of NANS in the
South - West, Mr . Saheed Afolabi , who spoke
with one of our correspondents on the
telephone on Sunday , said it was good that
2 face came up with the idea but his
withdrawal from it would not stop those , who
had indicated their interest to participate from
going ahead with the protest .
However , the Chairman of the Civil Societies
Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State , Mr .
Suleiman Adeniyi , said his group would make
its intention on the planned known later.

http://punchng.com/soyinka-knocks-police-plotting-scuttle-anti-fg-protest/

I'm tired of this blame news,anybody that wants to protest should go out tomorrow and join them and anybody who is against it should stay in their various houses..people who never use to talk nor see anything wrong with the administration are now hiding behind the media to use the protest to score cheap points both the pro's and the anti's

I'm fed up joor!

Tuface is not the voice of Nigerians. Tuface has refused to join what he pretentiously mobilized people for.
No going back, we lion in us is already set loose in the jungle. It now remains the father of who thinks Nigeria is ok the way it is, to stand in our way

DSS and Nigerian Army, please note we are not in trepidation of your armed presence. A United front can conquer any armed force.

We must protest.

With or without tuface the protest must go on

He could replace 2face and lead the protest.

The government will never support a protest.

Why are you just talking now? Oh. Nigeria, Nigerians.