In preparation for the planned October 1, 2024 protest, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, organisers of the EndBadGovernance campaign, have proposed a virtual meeting with the Lagos State Police Command. This suggestion comes as a response to logistical challenges that make an in-person meeting difficult for some key members of the group.
The proposal was made in a letter sent on Wednesday to Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Intelligence Department, Jaiyeoba Joseph, by the movement’s legal team, Inibehe Effiong Chambers. The letter follows a previous police invitation on Tuesday requesting the movement’s National Coordinator, Sanyaolu Juwon, and other key members to meet with the new Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to discuss matters of national interest.
Sources within the Take It Back Movement have expressed concerns that the police’s invitation for a physical meeting could be a strategy to arrest or detain members of the movement. However, the state police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, assured that the meeting would be cordial and that there were no plans to arrest anyone.
Hundeyin also confirmed that discussions regarding the October 1 protest, tagged FearlessInOctober, would be part of the agenda. The protest is expected to address critical national issues, including economic hardship, inflation, and fuel scarcity factors that have been a source of frustration for many Nigerians.
The TIB’s legal representatives, in their letter, explained that several executive members of the movement are currently outside Lagos and would not be able to attend a physical meeting on short notice. Due to the short notice and the fact that several key members of the Take It Back Movement are currently out of Lagos State, attending the physical meeting may be impracticable, the letter stated.
In light of these circumstances, the group proposed a virtual meeting as a more feasible alternative. The letter emphasized that a virtual meeting would allow all relevant participants to join remotely and contribute to the discussion, ensuring a productive dialogue with the police.
While the group stressed that a virtual meeting would be more convenient, they also expressed their willingness to reschedule the meeting if physical presence was deemed necessary. They suggested early October as a possible timeframe when all members could be available in Lagos.
The upcoming October 1 protest, labelled FearlessInOctober, is expected to bring attention to the economic challenges facing the country. Organisers are gearing up to voice the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians, especially concerning the skyrocketing inflation and persistent fuel scarcity, which continue to burden the populace.
As the TIB Movement pushes forward with their plans for the protest, the proposed meeting with the Lagos State Police will likely be a key moment in ensuring a peaceful and well-coordinated event. Whether held virtually or in person, the dialogue will provide an opportunity for both parties to engage constructively and potentially avert any misunderstandings ahead of the highly anticipated protest.
This ongoing exchange between the TIB and the police underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication as Nigerians continue to fight for accountability, transparency, and improved governance in their country.