Planned Protest: I’m Not Going To Join Issues With Mr Nyesom Wike For Personal Reasons – Femi Falana

Renowned human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has praised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerians to protest. In an interview with Channels Television, Falana reacted to the IGP’s statement, highlighting the importance of peaceful demonstrations.

Falana commended the IGP for recognizing the right to protest, stating that it is a fundamental aspect of democracy. He emphasized that the Police Establishments Act mandates the police to provide adequate security for protesters and ensure their safety.

However, Falana declined to comment on the statement made by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, citing personal reasons. He chose to focus on the IGP’s mature and balanced approach to the planned protest.

Falana also urged protesters to exercise their rights responsibly, avoiding violence and damage to government property. He expressed confidence that reasonable Nigerians would not engage in destructive behavior during protests.

The IGP had earlier warned that the planned protest should not descend into violence, emphasizing the police’s role in maintaining law and order. Falana’s comments align with the IGP’s stance, promoting a peaceful and lawful approach to demonstrations.

This development comes as various groups plan a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, dubbed “10 days of rage,” to address Nigeria’s economic hardship and soaring cost of living. The government has appealed to Nigerians to shelve the protest, but Falana’s remarks underscore the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

“I’m going to react to the second statement of the Inspector General of Police only. I’m not going to join issues with Mr Nyesom Wike for personal reasons. The IG has spoken very maturely and according to him, it’s the constitutional right of Nigerians to protest and nobody can take that away from us, but the IG has said it must not snowball into violence. This is where duty has been placed on the Police under the Police Establishments Act, to find where protesters would like to go to and ensure that adequate security is provided and I’m also sure no reasonable Nigerian would go out to protest with a view of damaging government property” He said….Viêw_ More