The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reasons why details of the organisers for the proposed nationwide protests were requested.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had, on Friday, directed the protest organisers to submit their details, proposed routes and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

However, the organisers of the protest disagreed with the IG and accused him of trying to rewrite the constitution.

One of them who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, Deji Adeyanju, said there was no provision in the constitution to support the requests made by the IG.

He said, “When the constitution was conferring the right to protest on the citizens, did the constitution give conditions for protests? Is the IG trying to rewrite the constitution? Is he trying to donate rights to the citizens or what? He has no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not give the IG the power to dictate how citizens should protest.”

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, the Force’s spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the IG’s request was a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants and prevent any unlawful activities.

Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses the recent accusations made by one activist, Deji Adeyanju, and others via various for a, alleging that the IGP is attempting to rewrite the constitution by requesting the details of the organisers and leaders of the planned nationwide protests.

“It is essential to know who is planning the assembly (protests) in each state as allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardise the peace and stability of the country, and leave us with pains, sorrows and tears as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS protests. If organised labour and other recognised bodies were involved, it would have provided a more structured and safer environment for such public protests.

“In this wise, requesting the details of protest organisers and their leaders and the schedules of their protests which include location, period, routes etc., is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities.”

Adejobi noted that the IGP “has never denied the constitutional right of every citizen to freedom of association and expression, but has rather, at every point, emphasised that the right is to peaceful assembly and expression,” while maintaining that the police “holds the responsibility to ensure that any activity, including protests, does not pose a threat to national security.”

The statement continued, “It is also vital for Deji Adeyanju to note that in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or to protect the rights and freedom of other persons as enshrined in Section 45 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this request by the IGP is not out of place.”

Adejobi urged the activist and other organisers “not to mislead Nigerians. We, therefore, call on them to join hands in working together to uphold the security and well-being of our nation. “ (Sunday PUNCH)

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