October 1 Protest: #EndBadGovernance Organizers Propose Virtual Meeting with Police

By Wisdom Tide
September 25, 2024

Proposal for Virtual Meeting

The Take It Back Movement has formally proposed a virtual meeting with the Lagos State Police Command due to logistical challenges that make an in-person meeting difficult. This proposal was detailed in a letter sent to Assistant Commissioner of Police Jaiyeoba Joseph, State Intelligence Department, by the group's legal representatives, Inibehe Effiong Chambers, on Wednesday.

The police had previously invited key members of the Take It Back Movement, including National Coordinator Sanyaolu Juwon, to meet with the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss "issues of national interest," as communicated in a letter dated Tuesday.

Concerns Over In-Person Meeting

Sources within the organization expressed concerns that a physical meeting could serve as a pretext for arresting its members. However, Benjamin Hundeyin, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the invitation, emphasizing that the meeting would be amicable and that the police had no intentions of arresting anyone. He further stated that the planned protest on October 1 would also be a topic of discussion during the meeting.

Logistical Challenges

In their correspondence, the Take It Back Movement’s solicitors explained that several executive members were currently outside Lagos and unable to attend a physical meeting. The letter, which was obtained by The PUNCH, highlighted the impracticality of attending on short notice, stating, “Due to the short notice and the fact that several key members of the Take It Back Movement are currently out of Lagos State, attending the physical meeting may be impracticable.”

Consequently, the group proposed a virtual meeting as a more suitable alternative. "We respectfully propose a virtual meeting as an alternative, as this would enable all necessary participants to join remotely and contribute productively to the discussions," the letter stated.

Upcoming Protest: FearlessInOctober

The anticipated protest, scheduled for October 1, 2024, under the banner 'FearlessInOctober,' aims to address several pressing issues, including the economic hardships facing Nigerians amid rising inflation and fuel scarcity. The organizers are hopeful that the discussions with the police will facilitate a peaceful and productive engagement leading up to the protest.

In summary, the Take It Back Movement's initiative to conduct a virtual meeting reflects both a strategic adaptation to logistical constraints and a commitment to ensure that all voices within the organization can participate fully in discussions regarding their planned protest