This Day (Lagos)
George Oji, Chuks Okocha And Iyefu Adoba
3 May 2004
Abuja — Last minute hope that the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and Nigeria United for Democracy (NUD) would call off the mass action slated for today was dashed yesterday as a meeting between Inspector General of Police Mr. Tafa Balogun and representatives of the parties ended in a stalemate.
While the police insisted that the rally be called off, officials of CNPP/NUD said they would go ahead with the rally and asked for police protection.
Earlier yesterday, 25 political parties boycotted the meeting called by the Federal Govern-ment to discuss the mass action.
The government has, however, vowed that it will not shirk its responsibility in the maintenance of law and order, and the protection of lives and properties of citizens.
In Abuja the police high command yesterday mobilised 4,800 men to stop today's rally because without police permit, "CNPP action contravened Public Order Act."
Also yesterday the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Bar Association said that Nigerians have right to protest against any government policy and that it is unconstitutional for police to insist on permits before rallies are conducted.
Balogun had at about 5.30 pm -commenced meeting with officials of CNPP/NUD in his office at Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
THISDAY gathered that the CNPP/NUD were led into the meeting by the Chairman of Peoples Salvation Party (PSP), Alhaji Wada Nas, the Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, Dr. Femi Okuronmu, Chief Onwuka Ukwa and Barrister Oyeleye of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP).
It was gathered that Balogun and the Commissioner of Police (Operations) in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Okon, represented the Police team.
At the meeting, Balogun requested that the rally be called off as the timing was inauspicious. He said after calling off the rally the organizers could apply for permit which he promised to approve.
But the CNPP team, sources disclosed, refused and asked that police should provide protection, so as to make the rally peaceful.
This position, the police boss refused, and the meeting ended in a stalemate.
When contacted the General Secretary of CNPP, Maxi Okwu, confirmed the stalemate, but said that they would be going into another round of meeting with All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in last year's election, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, APGA presidential candidate Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and ANPP/Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in the 1999 election, Chief Olu Falae, on the strategy that would be adopted for the rally today.
At the earlier meeting held with the political parties and civil society organisations at the instance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette, only five parties were in attendance.
The parties in attendance include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represented by its National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, the representatives of Better Nigeria Peoples Party (BNPP), African Renaissance Party (ARP) represented by its National Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, All Peoples Liberation Party (APLP) represented by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Okereke and the two factions of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) with Dr. Abubakar Manzo representing the Senator Moji Akinfenwa faction and Ambassador Mamman Yussuf representing the Chief Bisi Akande faction.
Other government officials at the meeting with Ekaette were Special Adviser on Civil Societies, Engr. Mohammed Abba Gana; Special Adviser on Politics, Prof. Jerry Gana; Special Adviser on Inter Party Affairs, Chief Rochas Okorocha; Special Adviser on Ethics and Good Government, Kanu Agabi; Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Charles Soludo; Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, and Information Minister, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu.
Chikelu, however, told reporters later that 20 political parties attended the meeting. He said the National Consensus Forum (NCF) a break away group from CNPP, represented the parties.
Chikelu said that the timing of the rally was not right and that the police which are in charge of maintaining law and order have said that the timing is not appropriate.
As a result, he said, the police cannot guarantee the safety of lives and properties.
Chikelu said "they have taken a decision on it and we hope that we will all in the interest of law and order abide by the decision. I know the organizers to be largely responsible people."
The Minister also said that government would not treat anyone as an enemy adding that CNPP chairman, Balarabe Musa, is a highly respected Nigerian and statesman.
Chikelu said that the general consensus is that the rally be called off and that the process of dialogue between government and stakeholders should be intensified.
In his speech at the opening session of the five-hour meeting, Ekaette said that government has a duty to maintain law and order and it is not ready to shirk that responsibility.
According to the SGF, "Government will not shirk its responsibility for maintaining law and order and providing good governance, honest and purposeful leadership so that law abiding members of our society can go about their legitimate business without molestation."
He appealed to the organizers of the rally to call it off in the overall interest of peace and national interest and give government the opportunity to look into their grievances.
Ekaette said that government will deem it necessary to hold dialogue with the parties in the hope that whatever prompted the mass action could be resolved and the rally called off.
The SGF said that the mass action if allowed to hold posses great danger to the nascent democracy, national peace and stability.
Ekaette described the organizers of the rally as committed democrats who share in the preservation of democracy at all cost.
"Embarking on such protest at this time might heat up the polity and also unwittingly play into the hands of mischief makers, who could easily cash in on the situation to foment trouble, the consequences of which will, undoubtedly be disastrous to our national life," he said.
The police which described the mass action without police permit as a contravention of the Public Order Act, have mobilised 4,800 of its personnel to halt today's rally in Abuja.
The number includes 1,800 conventional police personnel and 3,000 mobile policemen. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, who disclosed this yesterday said already 800 mobile policemen and 1,000 regular policemen have been drafted to the Eagle Square alone where the rally is expected to terminate. The rest are to be deployed in other parts of the FCT and its environs.
Olakpe described the proposed rally as illegal. The policemen were yesterday briefed and drilled on how to combat the rally. In addition to the elaborate ground preparations, which also included about 56 patrol vehicles, two police helicopters are expected to complement ground operations by providing aerial surveillance. The helicopters participated in yesterday's drills and rehearsals supervised by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations at the FCT Police Command.
Olakpe disclosed that additional 3,000 mobile policemen placed on standby by the police authorities have been briefed by the Mopol Commander on what to do.
Asked why the police decided to stop the rally, Olakpe said, "what CNPP planned to do contravened the Public Order Act, as a result, they have to be stopped."
The public, Olakpe assured, should go about their lawful duties as they would be fully protected by the police.
"We are ready and fully mobilised to protect key points, vulnerable places and law-abiding people," he said.
But the NLC President, Comrade Adams Oshiomole who came late to the meeting the political parties and civil organisations had with government said it is constitutional for people to protest.
According to him, "This is not an NLC project, if it was we would have said so. The fact that it is not our project does not mean that we do not have grievances to speak out. I think Nigerians should be encouraged to speak out. But we must make sure we do so peacefully and in a way that at the end of the day people will not be worse off."
Speaking in the same vein President of NBA, Mr. Wole Olanipekun, said "The message of my association is that Nigerians have a right to protest, Nigerians have a right to talk, Nigerians have a right to disagree with government but NBA will never support changing of government mid stream, that is changing of government otherwise than as provided by the constitution."
On police permit before any rally, the NBA President said, "I don't know where the law is that they have to take a permit. It's not part of democracy that when you want to protest that you must need a permit. Is it logical that you want to protest against me and you need permit from the police that I am the boss? It's not part of democracy, it's not civilized, it's not part of the ingredients of democracy."
Also, Archbishop John Onaiyekan of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said yesterday that it is wrong for the police and government to stop the rally.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Reverend Father Iwene Tansi Prayer Movement for the Abuja Archdiocese at the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles Onaiyekan said "it is wrong for the police and government to describe the rally as undemocratic."
He said the role of the police in the march was to provide security and ensure that hoodlums do not hijack it.
"What the police need to do is to mobilize their men to escort the parties and ensure that hoodlums do not hijack the rally," he said.
Also speaking the President of National Association Nigerian Students, Tony Nwoye, called on students not to participate in the rally.
Meanwhile CNPP Secretary General, Okwu told newsmen in Abuja why they refused to attend the meeting called by the SGF.
He said, "Our chairman, Contact and Mobilization Committee is under lock and key of the security over his role in the organization of mass action. He has been arrested since Thursday put incommunicado, his Doctors, family are not allowed to see him."
"How can we be participating in a meeting when he is under arrest? that is not possible. The invitation to a meeting is a plot to arrest the members of the CNPP and NUD. If they are sincere, let them release Buba Galadima as a condition for us to attend."
Okwu also asked what type of meeting the government is inviting them to when the State Security Services (SSS) is hunting their members like games and destroying their properties.
For instance, Okwu said that on Friday night "SSS officials went to a shop in Area 7 Corner Shop and seized all our printed posters, beat up the workers in the shop and asked them not to print or work for us."
Moreover, he said CNPP and NUD did not honour the invitation because of the membership of those invited to attend the meeting.
For instance, he said "it is a known fact that Ohaneze, Arewa and Kaduna Youth Movement have all said that they are not participating, so, why invite them? Another group, Youth Agenda for Peace and Unity in Nigeria (YAPUN) has taken us to court and they could not get any court injunction against us, so why do you want us to sit down with people who in the first place are against us?"
However, a mild drama occurred at the hotel of Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, yesterday.
Two Commissioners of Police arrived his hotel and requested that he follow them to a meeting at the secretariat of the CNPP.
Musa, who had been trailed by security operatives refused. He told them the invitation was a ploy to arrest him.
After making telephone calls they left and did not return.
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