- The IGP requested details of the organisers and leaders of the planned protests
- Consequently, Deji Adeyanju stated that the constitution does not support the IGP's requests
- The police, however, defended the IGP’s request and dismissed allegations of trying to rewrite the constitution
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed the accusations that requesting details of the leaders of all protesting groups is an attempt to rewrite the constitution, adding that it falls within their professional duties.
This was conveyed in a statement by the Police High Command spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, July 28.
The requested details are to ensure safety
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses the recent accusations made by one activist, Deji Adeyanju, and others via various fora, alleging that the IGP is attempting to rewrite the constitution by requesting the details of the organisers and leaders of the planned nationwide protests”.
He further said, “In this wise, requesting the details of protest organisers and their leaders and the schedules of their protests, including location, period, routes etc, is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities. It is also vital for Deji Adeyanju to note that in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or to protect the rights and freedom of other persons as enshrined in Section 45 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this request by the IGP is not out of place”.
Constitution does not support IGP’s request - Adeyanju
Recall that the IGP requested the information of the organizers and leaders of the planned nationwide protests on Friday, July 26.
As a result, Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and convener of Concerned Nigerians, stated that the constitution does not support the IGP's requests.
He asked, “When the constitution was conferring the right to protest on the citizens, did the constitution give conditions for protests? Is the IG trying to rewrite the constitution?”
He also said, “Is he trying to donate rights to the citizens or what? He has no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not give the IG the power to dictate how citizens should protest.”
The planned nationwide protest set for August 1 has been attracting increased attention on social media platforms.
Anonymous groups could threaten stability in the country
The Nigerian police have said that permitting anonymous groups to operate unchecked could threaten peace and stability in the country.
“it is essential to know who is planning the assembly (protests) in each state as allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardise the peace and stability of the country, and leave us with pains, sorrows and tears as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS Protests. If organised labour and other recognised bodies were involved, it would have provided a more structured and safer environment for such public protests,” the Police High Command spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi added.
NNPC recruitment announcement labelled as another tactic to stop nationwide protest
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the NNPC recruitment announcement was tagged as a "fake Twitter giveaway" and believed it was another tactic to discourage youths from protesting.
Nigerians were quick to point out that it was the second public hiring announcement in 11 years and the first in five years.