The #IStandWithNigeria protest scheduled to hold February 6 in Lagos and Abuja will still hold despite the withdrawal of one of the conveners, Innocent 2face Idibia.
EnoughisEnough (EIE) Nigeria, cordinators of the planned rallies said in a statement on Sunday that the march had beyond 2Face who announced his withdrawal last night citing concerns that the protest was under the threat of being hijacked by hoodlums.
The organisation said: “EIE has a track record of galvanizing popular participation in holding governments accountable, through the #EnoughisEnough protests in 2010 that led to the handover of power to Goodluck Jonathan; the #OccupyNigeria in 2012 protests that forced the government to scale back on plans to increase fuel pump prices and set a new high for citizen engagement & mobilization; the #OurNASS protests in 2013 calling for accountability in the National Assembly that has continued with the #OpenNASS campaign. We have also continued to demand that Mr. President deliver on his promise to #BringBackOurGirls movement. It is important we continue to hold governments accountable and to vocalize the aspirations of a frustrated and disappointed people. This call has gone beyond 2Baba. It is now a Nigerian demand.”
READ: #IStandWithNigeria: Tuface backs out but Seyi Law vows to continue with protest
The full statement posted on social media reads:
‘I Stand With Nigeria’ Rallies To Continue In Lagos And Abuja Tomorrow
EnoughisEnough thanks 2Baba for invitation to join protest; rallies to continue in Lagos and Abuja tomorrow
EnoughisEnough (EiE) Nigeria – a coalition of individuals and youth-led organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship, has confirmed that the ‘I Stand With Nigeria/One Voice Nigeria’ rallies to protest corruption and worsening standard of living under the Muhammadu Buhari administration at all levels of government, will continue tomorrow in Lagos and Abuja.
“This is a platform for real Nigerians to communicate their real pains to government at all levels in a peaceful and articulate manner with a view to getting lasting solutions to our problems,” 2Baba had said in his first statement on the protests.
“This march is about demanding that all saboteurs of good government policies should hands off. This march is about encouraging positive minded Nigerians to continue to work without intimidation. We have a system that is clearly designed not to work for the majority.”
“2face Idibia (2Baba) informed us late last night that on-going conversations with security agencies have not allayed his security concerns and so he had decided not to participate in a physical protest,” said ‘Yemi Adamolekun who is Executive Director for EiE.
“We thanked him for inviting us when he first decided on these protests, and informed him that we believe it is important, despite the risks, to continue with the demands, for the sake of the Nigerians who have put their trust in this movement. We will hold the Lagos Commissioner of Police and the Presidency to their words that citizens have the right to protest and that it is the responsibility of security agencies to provide security to all citizens.”
“EiE has a track record of galvanizing popular participation in holding governments accountable, through the #EnoughisEnough protests in 2010 that led to the handover of power to Goodluck Jonathan; the #OccupyNigeria in 2012 protests that forced the government to scale back on plans to increase fuel pump prices and set a new high for citizen engagement & mobilization; the #OurNASS protests in 2013 calling for accountability in the National Assembly that has continued with the #OpenNASS campaign. We have also continued to demand that Mr. President deliver on his promise to #BringBackOurGirls movement. It is important we continue to hold governments accountable and to vocalize the aspirations of a frustrated and disappointed people. This call has gone beyond 2Baba. It is now a Nigerian demand.”
