Group Demands Investigation Into Barbaric OPC Pro-Jonathan Protest In Lagos

Posted by African Examiner Lagos, Latest Headlines, National News, News, Nigeria 2015 Election, Politics, Press Releases Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) has condemned in strong terms the barbaric, crude and uncivilized assault on the fundamental and democratic rights of Lagosians by a group named Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN) on Monday in Lagos.

The protest was embarked upon by members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and other Pro. Jonathan groups, under the aegis of CCN.

Executive Chairman, Nelson Ekujumi, who spoke in Lagos on Monday said in as much as “we recognize the constitutional right of freedom of citizens to protest or hold demonstrations, it must be done with civility and absolute respect for the democratic rights of Nigerians and the constitution.

“The barbaric and unconstitutional conduct of this (CCN) group in assaulting the economic and fundamental rights of Lagosians to information through destruction of political party billboards, banners and posters as well as terrorizing innocent road users is highly provocative, despicable and condemnable.

“From our investigations, this group (CCN) is owned and funded by Mr. Gani Adams, the factional leader of OPC who was recently awarded the contract of protecting Nigerian waterways and oil pipeline protection with effect from March 16, 2015 under the name Donyx Global Concept among other militants owned companies by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.

According to Ekunjimi, “We are also aware that all the companies recently awarded oil pipeline protection contract by the Federal Government are owned by militants (e.g. Asari Dokubo, Boyloaf, Ateke Tom, etc) who have threatened national peace and security if in their words, President Jonathan is not re-elected.

“In the light of the above assault of the economic and democratic rights of Lagosians and the constitution, we want to ask if the disruption of the economic life and intimidation of Lagosians today from exercising their fundamental rights is part of the oil pipeline contract job of Donyx Global Concept of the OPC? Again, is this another part of the grand design to cause mayhem in parts of the country starting with Lagos so as to engineer another postponement of the 2015 general elections on the grounds of insecurity?” He asked.

The CPPM demanded immediate investigation and arrest of the leaders of CCN for this breach of public peace and immediate prosecution of the leaders of this lawless group for violations of the law.

“We demand immediate apology to the good people of Lagos State by the Nigeria Police for not living up to their constitutional responsibility by allowing these flagrant violations of the laws to occur. The security agencies should rise up to their constitutional responsibility by ensuring a peaceful pre, during and post 2015 general elections.

“We have to sound a note of warning that Nigerians are desirous of participating in a free, fair, transparent and credible 2015 general elections and every hand is on deck to ensure a successful exercise, thus all agents of evil and anti democratic elements are hereby warned to stay off our democratic train path, lest they be crushed,” Ekunjimi said.