Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has formally requested security agencies to provide protection for the forthcoming public meetings, rallies, and processions organized by the non-governmental group Take It Back Movement. This request comes as the movement, alongside its members and various patriotic Nigerian groups, gears up for a series of events advocating for their cause.
In a letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa, acting as solicitor for the Take It Back Movement, informed the Inspector General of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services about rallies scheduled from August 1 to 10, 2024, or at a later date. The planned events are to be held at Eagle Square in Abuja, public spaces in the 36 state capitals, and the 774 local government headquarters.
“The meetings, rallies, and processions will take place from August 1 to 10, or any time thereafter, at Eagle’s Square in Abuja, public spaces in the capital cities of all 36 states, and headquarters of the 774 local government councils, commencing from 8am continuously until the end thereof,” Adegboruwa’s letter reads. “The meetings, rallies, and processions may extend to and cover public highways and other locations of public access.”
Adegboruwa also requested details of the police officers or teams that would be assigned to cover the events, to harmonize plans and strategies for ensuring the safety of participants.
Similarly, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has written to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, seeking permission for Nigerians to stage a protest against the escalating cost of living. Effiong’s letter follows a call for a nationwide protest, which has elicited mixed reactions from various security agencies, including the police.
Effiong’s letter references Section 91(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates that the role of security agencies in political rallies, processions, and meetings is limited to providing adequate security. “We request that you issue a directive to all commissioners of police across the states of the federation and Abuja and all relevant departments under your supervision to provide adequate security for the protesters, as they will be exercising their constitutional rights,” the letter reads.
Effiong emphasized that the police’s role is to protect and facilitate the exercise of constitutional rights, not to suppress them. “Any attempt to the contrary will be unconstitutional and a violation of your oath of office,” he stated, urging the IGP to demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law and to refuse any invitation to undermine the democratic rights of the protesters.