#EndSars Protest: Social Action Carpets Police IG Over Ban on Abuja Protesters

By Francis Etuko

Abuja (Precise Post) – A Civil Society Group, Social Action has lamented that the ban on #Endsars campaigners from demonstrating in Abuja for allegedly violating Covid-19 protocols is a demonstration of high handedness on the part of the Inspector General of Police. Muhammad Adamu.

In a statement sent to PRECISE POST in Abuja, Social Action said the action of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu violates the rights of freedom of movement, expression and personal liberty which are fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter iv of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

 The civil society group in the statement described the order from the police IG as negating the rights of Nigerians as it smacks of double standard and deceit.

Social Action is of the view that the Federal Capital Territory Administration should encourage protesters to be orderly and peaceful, while they wear their facemasks as the go about with their protests.

‘‘Nigerians recently witnessed the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States which saw representatives of the Federal Government and other leaders of the country in attendance during the political campaigns held in those states shortly before the elections’

‘They converged in public places, alongside thousands of their supporters and political party members, to conduct political rallies aimed at soliciting for votes for their preferred candidates in the elections. The ruling party, being the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not dissociate itself from those political gatherings, neither did the Federal Government object to the breach of the social distancing and use of face mask protocols, as observed during those political campaigns. How then, does the ruling party and the government in power, expect citizens residing in the federal capital of Nigeria to heed such a directive issued to them to stop the #EndSARS protest because of a breach of COVID-19 guidelines”

‘It must be noted that the #EndSARS protest is not a jamboree. It is a people’s movement for the redemption of Nigeria; a clarion call for the systematic overhaul of the nation’s security architecture and other institutional reforms. It is not against any religion, ethnic group or political party, but is a public expression of the grievances of the Nigerian people against the state of affairs in the country. The protest is therefore, highly necessary and indeed, justified’. 

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