Yemisi Izuora
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on saturday ignored police warning and staged a mass rally to protest the shift in election dates and insinuataion that another likely shift might occur.
As early as 8am there was a massive build of police presence at Maryland where the group had planned to assemble.
Over 50 armed police men cordoned the area but the arrival of the convener of the rally, Femi Falana (SAN) charged the situation.
Falana on noticing the presence of the police sought to speak with their superior officer.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tunde Adagunduro who led the police team, informed Falana that the police had a security report and may not be willing to allow the rally to hold.
“We have a security report and I will advise you to take another date for the rally”, Adagunduro told defiant Falana.
On sensing a possible break down of law and order, the police bulged but insisted they would control the crowd to any point they planned to hold the rally.
Leading the banner carrying large crowd Falana along side the police team marched down from Ikorodu road to Ojota where the protesters staged their rally at the Gani Fawehinmi park.
Addressing the supporters Falana warned that a nationwide protest is imminent if government go ahead to further shift the poll.
Falana also said that democratic forces would engage the government if the rumoured removal of INEC chairman Attahiru Jega is carried out.
He said what is about playing itself up is reminiscent of what happened in 1993 when anti-democratic forces derailed the transition government.
“We went to sleep shortly after the election and the outcome was the annulment and establishment of interim government that was declared illegal and military takeover.
This time we will resist any attempt to derail the democratic process or any military incursion” he warned.
Isa Remu, vice president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in his comment said the labour union joined the protest because of its belief in democracy.
“Any action that will help to deepen democracy shall have our unflinching support” he said.