The Nation Newspaper

Tag: protest

  • Anti-Amosun protest rocks Ogun over threat to demolish buildings of Abiodun’s allies

    Scores of youths, under the aegis of “Coalition of Ogun Progressive Youths and Students” and Campaign for Justice (CJ) protested yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    They were protesting the alleged plan to demolish the business premises and buildings of suspected supporters of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for next year’s election.

    The protesters named Mr Taiwo Oludotun’s business premises as one of those marked for demolition.

    They described the decision of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration to clamp down on his opponents’ structures as anti-poor and anti-masses policy.

    The group, led by Adeyemi Azeez, the Convener of Ogun Progressive Youths and Students and the Secretary for Campaign for Justice, Idris Salami, said the served demolition notice and withdrawal of the business premises approval for Oludotun was an “act of vendetta”.

    Azeez, who addressed reporters after the protest terminated at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), accused the governor of threatening those perceived to oppose his political interests.

    The youth leader urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the governor not to proceed with the planned demolition.

    He expressed the fear that should the Amosun administration make good its planned demolition of Oludotun’s business premises, scores of Ogun youths who work there would be thrown into the labour market.

    Azeez said: “If the planned demolition is carried out, many youths would be thrown out of jobs, thereby increasing the mass number of unemployed youths in the state.

    “If at this point the progressive-minded citizens fail to speak, history would never forgive us; neither would posterity judge us well.”

    Efforts to get the government’s comments were unsuccessful last night.

    But a notice of revocation of permit served on Taiwo Oludotun by the party showed he contravened the conditions upon which his business premises was approved, according to Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB).

  • Protest mars Saraki’s Kogi visit

    Protesters besieged the Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Lokoja, disrupting the campaign visit of Senator Bukola Saraki.

    Saraki, a contender for PDP’s presidential ticket, was in the state to woo delegates ahead of the party’s national convention.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like “No to Imposition”; “Don’t Impose Dino on Us”; “Allow for Free, Fair Primaries”; “Kogi is not Kwara.”

    They were protesting the alleged imposition of Senator Dino Melaye on Kogi West, a decision believed to have been influenced by Saraki.

    According to their spokespersons, Stephen Segun Aina and Aisha Jibril, “imposing Melaye on the district without a primary will affect the fortune of the PDP in the district”.

    They said the automatic ticket allegedly granted the serving senator who recently returned to the PDP is unacceptable, even as they were dissatisfied with the alleged imposition and disqualification of four other aspirants who, according to them, have sustained the party until now.

    The protesters described the development as an act of wickedness and injustice by the National Working Committee (NWC), warning that it would lead to the implosion of the PDP.

    Saraki said his aspiration to become the next president of Nigeria is to make the country work again.

    He promised to improve on the wellbeing of Nigerians, saying the present administration has failed in meeting its change agenda.

    Saraki, therefore, solicited the support of delegates to enable him meet with the yearnings and aspiration of Nigerians.

    Chairman Sam Uhuotu said the delegates would make informed choices at the convention in choosing its presidential candidate.

  • Kogi group protest ‘imposition’ of candidate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Masses and Advocacy Group has protested alleged attempts to impose Senator Attai Aidoko on the Igala/Bassa nation ahead of the 2019 election.

    The Chairman, Ahmed Suleiman, who addressed reporters yesterday in Lokoja, warned that the imposing Aidoko would signal the end of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi East.

    He lamented alleged efforts by the senator, in connivance with the PDP screening committee, to offer the former an automatic ticket against the people’s wishes.

    Suleiman urged the party to save itself from “being extinguished from the state” even as he described the party’s activities as one causing ripples within the ranks and file. This, he said, would degenerate into the total collapse of PDP in Kogi.

  • Kwara teachers protest unpaid salary

    TEACHERS of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) yesterday held a rally to protest their unpaid four-month salary and pensions.

    The teachers have not resumed for the 2018/2019 academic session.

    They marched from Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), Gari-Alimi, to Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) headquarters at Asa Dam in Ilorin.

    The protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Teachers, accused NUT leadership of not having their interest at heart.

    The teachers, last week, warned that they would not resume until their requests were granted.

    The protesters locked the the NUT secretariat and the chairman’s office.

    Spokesperson of Concerned Teachers Abdulwahab Abubakar said: “We are here to tell the NUT chairman to go on air and tell the world that SUBEB teachers are not resuming until the backlog of our salaries are paid.

    “We have been denied promotion since 2013. They gave us two promotion letters that have no financial backing. I wonder why and how the government will be there and teachers will be hungry. Do they expect a hungry teacher to deliver a lesson properly in class?

    “Our patience has been exhausted. We cannot bear it anymore. That is why we are here to impress it on the chairman to announce our refusal to resume work.

    “As of now, we are waiting for the NUT chairman to do the needful, but unfortunately he is not around. They owe us over four months’ salaries, spreading from 2015 till date.

    “We will continue to protest and stay off work until the chairman announces our resumption of strike, or better still until our salaries and other entitlements are paid.”

  • Ado-Ekiti indigenes protest Fayose’s sale of Oba’s market

    Some indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday protested Governor Ayo Fayose’s decision to sell shops in the uncompleted Erekesan (Oba’s) Market.

    The protesters described the market as their heritage, which they would not allow anyone to sell off.

    They warned the governor to pull the brakes on the planned sale.

    The indigenes noted that the control of market is under the jurisdiction of the local government and not the state government.

    The protesters wondered why the governor was in haste to sell the market before exiting office next month.

    They alleged that the governor’s decision to sell the market was unilateral and not after consultations with the indigenes.

    According to them, the N2 million per shop price the governor placed on the shops was too exorbitant for poor market women.

    The protest was organised by Ado Ewi Indigenes Rights Protection Forum and Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition.

    The protesters carried a big banner with the inscription “Erekesin (Oja Oba) Market Not For Sale, Don’t Sell Ado Ewi Inheritance, Buyers Be Warned, Don’t Lose Your Money.”

    Addressing reporters during the protest, the Akuajo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, expressed dismay at how Fayose allegedly reneged on his promise to consider the former occupants of the market before allocation.

    Joining Ogunleye to address reporters at the protest were the head of the Aladesanmi royal family, Prince Adedeji Aladesanmi and Babatolu of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Kayode Owolabi.

    Ogunleye said: “Our stand is apolitical. We are protesting to preserve the heritage of Ado-Ekiti indigenes with regards to Oba’s market.

    “Virtually all over Africa, especially in Nigeria and Yoruba land in particular, an Oba’s market is never sold. It can be leased or rented but it is not usually sold outright.

    “Again, the control of such a market is the constitutional rights of the local government and not that of the state because it is a major factor in the internally generated revenue (IGR) sources of the local government.

    “Our fear is that once it is sold, that market is gone forever and the local government will become poorer. So, we are calling for the retention of the local government and the need for it to be administered by the council. The market is not for any state.

    “They said people should come and pay as much as N2 million before the shops are allocated, rather than allowing them to rent the place. Even those occupying the place were not given preferential treatment. Where would those just trying to make ends meet get N2 million?”

    The National Secretary of Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition, Olubodun Olukayode, said it was wrong for the governor to have contemplated selling the market, taking cognisance of the premium placed on it by Ado-Ekiti indigenes.

    He said: “We are sounding a note of warning to prospective buyers that the market is not for sale. Though we have not met the government, but we have registered our protest with Ewi-in-Council. As youths, whatever we do today shall be history tomorrow. So, we are here to preserve our heritage.”

     

  • Protest at police Hqtrs over reporter

    Protesters yesterday marched on the Louis Edet House Force Headquarters, Abuja to demand the release of Premium Times Security Sector reporter Samuel Ogundipe.

    He was nabbed by the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad on Tuesday.

    The arrest followed Ogundipe’s refusal to disclose the source of a story published in the online newspaper.

    The story contained a report by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on the siege to the National Assembly by the State Security Service.

    The protesters, a coalition of civil society groups, #OurMumuDondo, occupied the entrance of the building for about two hours to make their demands.

    They were led by popular musician Charlie Boy, convener of Concerned Nigerians Deji Adeyanju and publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore.

    The demonstrators chanted songs, such as

    “All we are saying is free Samuel now”, “Freedom comes by struggle”, “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our rights”.

    They carried placards with the inscriptions: “Buhari must drop all charges against Samuel Ogundipe”, “Samuel Ogundipe is a journalist and not a criminal”, “Don’t take our voice away”.

    The protesters blocked the road to the police headquarters and prevented movement, despite being dispersed with tear gas by the police.

    Adeyanju said: “This is a deliberate attempt to intimidate Ogundipe and other journalists. It is bad for the image of the country and the police. We will not negotiate the freedom of the press with anybody, no matter who the person is. The police must release Ogundipe unconditionally with an apology.

    “It is important to note that if this can happen to Ogundipe, it can happen to anybody. A situation where people use public office to intimidate and harass journalists, because the goal is to intimidate Samuel and dampen his spirit, is condemnable. We will not allow our country to be dragged down like this.

    “As stakeholders in the Nigeria project, we are doing our best to ensure that no Nigerian lives in fear in a democracy.”

    Sowore condemned the IG for pressurising Ogundipe to disclose his source.

    He said: “The police must learn to respect human rights. We are going to protest till our space is respected. The police are supposed to be working for the people and not against them. The role of the press is defined, even in the constitution. We will not compromise on that.”

    One of the demonstrators, Ralph Adebayo, described the IG as “ignorant,” noting that “he has been transmitting confusion and controversy since he became the police chief.”

    The spokesman asked the protesters to summarise their demands and forward them to his office.

    The demonstrators left the Force headquarters around noon and promised to resume their protest today.

     

     

     

  • Ondo South youths call off protest

    Youths under the aegis of Ondo South Advancement and Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) has suspended their plan to shut the Lagos/Ore-Benin Expressway to protest 10-year power outage today.

    OSAWA’s President Oluwajuwon Ade-Aworetan addressing reporters in Akure, Ondo State capital, said the group called off the protest due to intervention of security agencies and representatives of the government.

    According to the president, the security chiefs cited the volatile security condition of the Ore/Omotosho/Akinfosile road, which has recorded several robbery cases.

    Ade-Aworetan said the government informed the group about the recent move by governments, Niger Delta Power Holding Company and NDDC to restore electricity to the district.

    He said they were satisfied with steps taken by the state on the challenges facing the people.

    “The government further told us that it has reached an agreement with BEDC during its official meeting to restore power to the district.”

  • Protest in Ondo as victim of SARS operation dies

    One of the two students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State, who had an accident while being chased by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the town, Seun Ogunmola, is dead.

    The late Seun died on Sunday at Federal Medical Centre in Owo, 11 days after the accident.

    It was gathered the student died a few hours after he underwent a surgery on his leg.

    The deceased and his classmate, Deborah Iyanuoluwa, both Accounting students of the polytechnic, were driving a Toyota Matrix saloon car when they were trailed by SARS operatives, who mistook them for suspected Internet fraudsters.

    It was learnt the car belonged to the president of the hostel where the deceased resided.

    According to eyewitnesses, the students lost control of the car and crashed.

    Following the accident, the officers reportedly abandoned them and fled, while bystanders rushed them to Federal Medical Centre.

    The late Seun’s friend, Dada Samuel, said his condition worsened when the injury he sustained affected his right leg, which warranted the surgery.

    His friends and family members, The Nation learnt, sought financial assistance from the public to pay the N300,000 hospital bill.

    Dada said the late Seun underwent the surgery last Friday to prevent amputation. His classmates, he said, were contributing money for another surgery when he died on Sunday.

    The news of Seun’s death sparked a protest among students, who called for the disbandment of SARS.

    The students described the security outfit as an “official killer squad”.

    They condemned a statement credited to the Force Area Commander in Owo, Friday Eboka, an assistant commissioner of Police (ACP), who allegedly said there was no proof the officers were SARS operatives.

    Eboka urged students to provide “authentic evidence” to show involvement of SARS operative in the incident.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph, a superintendent of Police (SP), could not be reached for comment.

  • After the protest

    What are policemen expected to do when they are not paid for the work they do? Riot policemen in Maiduguri, Borno State, supplied an answer to this question when they staged a protest on July 2. A report said: “They barricaded the command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway, shot sporadically into the air while singing and marching. The riot policemen, who have been on Special Duty working with the Joint Task Force (JTF), disrupted traffic during the protest.”

    The protesters had good reasons to protest. One of them was quoted as saying: “About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months…We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us.”

    So the protesters decided to draw public attention to their plight, which is bad for the public image of the police. It is obvious that the affected policemen staged a protest because they were desperate to get the attention of the police authorities.

    It is interesting that the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, who spoke for the police authorities, said there was no protest.  “The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today,” Moshood declared in a statement.  What happened, according to him, was that some Police Mobile Force personnel on special duty in Maiduguri “went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance.”

    Does Moshood want the public to believe that the policemen who reportedly   “barricaded the command headquarters,” “shot sporadically into the air while singing and marching,” and also “disrupted traffic,” were simply on a fact-finding mission?   By trivialising the protest, and denying that it actually happened, the police spokesman unwittingly showed why it was necessary for the protesters to adopt that course of action.

    Moshood added: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.”

    This happened after a protest that shouldn’t have been allowed to happen.

     

     

  • Riot policemen protest unpaid five months stipends

    Riot policemen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday staged a protest over non-payment of their five months allowances.

    They barricaded the command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway, shot sporadically into the air while singing and marching.

    The riot Policemen, who have bee on Special Duty working with the Joint Task Force (JTF), disrupted traffic during the protest.

    Borno State Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said he was making frantic efforts to pacify them  adding that the  the issue would  soon be resolved with the signing of the 2018 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Borno police chief said only five months  outstanding allowances were been owed as against the seven and six months being mentioned.

    He said: “We woke up this morning to experience a protest at the  State headquearters gate by visiting PMF men in Borno State over  unpaid special duty allowances for five months running.

    “We are making efforts to pacify them and to assure them of their payment of entitlemnts soonest especially now that the Federal Government budget issues are being fast resolved by the Federal Government,”

    The CP appealed that steps be urgently taken to proffer a lasting solution to the problem.

    One of protesting policemen, who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.

    “About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.

    “We have been serving at the command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.

    “We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was seen heading towards the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, at the presidential Villa, Abuja.

    A source at the Presidential Villa, who preferred to remain anonymous, told NAN that the IGP was in the villa to brief the Presidency on the police protest.

    Spokesman of the Police Jimoh Moshood, said its personnel seen blocking Borno headquarters in Maiduguri, were not staging a protest, but were merely complaining over the delay in paying their special duty allowances.

    In a statement in Abuja, Moshood said: ‘The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance.

    “The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018.

    “Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media.

    “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.

    “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.

    “The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the country”.