Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 27th July, 2024

“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.” The IG added that the information expected from the organizers also includes measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.

He said:“For us to now get all wound up that some unknown people are planning a protest shows that something has gone fundamentally wrong with the nature of the connection between the state and society.” Utomi highlighted the current state of the nation as dire, citing that the fear of an impending protest has led to unnecessary panic, threats, and misinformation.

Dele Momodu‘s advice followed statements from Nigeria’s security agencies, including Department of Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army and Defence Headquarters against citizens’ planned hunger protest.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.

This marks the second court order from a Rivers State High Court halting the PDP’s planned congress in the state.

Ruling on the suit, Justice Wali instructed the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to adhere to the court’s directive.

Leaders of the Southern Borno Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called for the prompt reinstatement of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to his former role as Senate Chief Whip.During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, APC spokesperson Baba Ahmed Mustapha expressed strong support for Ndume, praising his candidness in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Political economist, Prof.

Pat Utomi, on Friday, expressed concern over the state’s anxiety regarding the planned protest scheduled to start on August 1.

In his ruling on Friday, Justice Charles Wali, forbade the party, its National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their representatives, from convening anywhere in Rivers State to carry out ward, local government, and state congresses until the court makes a decision on the pending case.

He criticized the state’s reaction as a sign of deeper issues within the nation’s governance and societal values.

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has advised President Bola Tinubu against taking the reputation of a dictator by fighting citizens’ right to protest.

The human rights activist in a letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, stated that the planned rallies will commence from Aug.

1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter at the Eagle Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 states and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.

While the DSS agreed on the citizens’ right to protest, it claimed that some elements plan to hijack it.

Adegboruwa while reiterating the role of the police during such rallies and protests, urged the IGP to make available the details of any police officer or police team that will be assigned to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions to harmonise plans and strategies for the same.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, APC spokesperson Baba Ahmed Mustapha expressed strong support for Ndume, praising his candidness in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration..

Read Full Story