By Dipo Olowookere
Police in Lagos State have said they will not approve the proposed nationwide protest against the Federal Government organised by top musician, Mr Innocent Idibia better known as 2Face.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, disclosed that organiser of the demonstration was yet to formally notify the Force of any intention to carry out the mass protest, which is expected to commence at the National Stadium in Surulere and terminate at the National Theatre in Iganmu on Monday, February 6, 2017.
Mr Owoseni noted that even if the organiser now formally writes to the police for approval so as to provide security for the day, it would not be given a nod.
Explaining reason for this, the police chief said intelligence report indicates that criminals might hijack the process and cause mayhem.
“Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest. And as such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos. We know that 2Face does have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” Mr Owoseni maintained.
Recall that the proposed action has generated different views.
For those in support of the protest, it is to awaken the APC-led government of the sufferings in the land, while those against believe the protest is to blackmail the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Renowned critic of the APC government, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who is the Governor of Ekiti State, had promised to join in the protest next Monday.
This made some people to speculate that the singer was only being used by some politicians to unsettle and discredit government at the centre.