[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2004]


Police Move to Stop Mass Rally

Daily Champion (Lagos)
NEWS
April 16, 2004
Posted to the web April 16, 2004

By Vincent Egunyanga
Abuja
THE two million-man march billed for Abuja may have suffered a setback as the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command rejected a request by the
organisers to hold the rally.
The FCT command rather asked the organisers to write to the Inspector-General
of Police (IGP) for such permit.
But, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), the organisers,
expressed shock at the development, saying the nation's law contain not such
provisions where the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has to approve a local
rally.
Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Balarane Musa, vowed that they would prefer to die
rather than not going ahead with the protest.
It would be recalled that the protest, originally billed for April 19, had been
shifted to May 3 this year.
In a letter marked CB:0900/FCT/OPS/VOL 4/40, signed by the Assistant
Commissioner of Police (ACP) 'B' Department (operations), Mr. Danjuma Ibrahim,
the police advised the CNPP to forward their request to the office of the IGP.
However secretary-general of CNPP, Mr. Maxi Okwu told newsmen in Abuja
yesterday that there was nowhere in Nigeria's laws where such permits go to the
IGP, pointing out that the parties have written another letter to the FCT
command on the change in date of the mass action for May 3.
He said the police have, however, refused to collect the said letter of
request.
Meanwhile, more civil society and pressure groups have thrown their weight
behind the CNPP protest.
Among the latest groups that have agreed to partake in the mass action is the
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Okwu had said that the political parties agreed to shift the date to enable
more civil society organisations take part in the rally.
Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Musa told newsman in Abuja, also yesterday, that
members of the opposition political parties are all ready to go to jail to
fight for their right to hold rally against alleged election rigging and anti-
people policies of the Obasanjo administration.
They said they will not be intimidated by the security stance.

   

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