The organizers of the “Take It Back Movement” and the #EndBadGovernance initiative have issued an open letter to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, detailing their demands for the planned protest on August 1, 2024.

The letter, which outlines specific requirements for transportation and protest venues, was shared on social media by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). The message, posted on Sowore’s X account on Wednesday, July 1, 2024, was titled “LETTER TO @jidesanwoolu OVER THE DESIGNATION OF PROTEST VENUES IN LAGOS.”

The letter reads:

LETTER TO @jidesanwoolu OVER THE DESIGNATION OF PROTEST VENUES IN LAGOS

Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos House, Lagos.

It has come to the attention of the Take It Back Movement in Lagos State that your Attorney General has surreptitiously obtained a court order designating and restricting protesters for #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria to two locations in the Lagos Metropolis.

While we frown at this abuse of judicial privilege to stifle freedom of association, the movement, at an emergency meeting, wishes to inform you that since this was your administration’s decision, you must bear responsibility for the movement of protesters from several designations in Lagos to and from Peace Park in Ketu and Gani Fawehinmi Justice Park in Ojota in Lagos.

Some of the designated convergence points for participating citizens include:

  • Alausa Secretariat
  • Lekki Toll Gates
  • Ikorodu Bus Park
  • Okota Link Bridge
  • LASU Campus Gates
  • Iyana Ipaja Underbridge
  • Agege Pen Cinema

You will soon be informed of other designated convergence points for protesters.

The buses to be provided must be clean, safe, and air-conditioned.

The buses must arrive at these designated areas as early as 6 a.m. and return protesters to their convergence points at 6 p.m. every night between August 1st and 10th, 2024.

The protest days may extend beyond ten days, so the Lagos State government is advised to make contingency plans for the continuation of these actions.

Your failure to provide buses for the protesters means they (protesters) will begin to march/walk to the court-designated parks in the city on a daily basis for the duration of the #EndBadGovernance direct actions.

Finally, be informed that there will be rallies and processions throughout the #EndBadGovernance actions, so your bus operators are advised to find and park at a safe distance from the areas designated by protesters for these activities.

Accept our revolutionary regards,

Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek
Coordinator, Take It Back Movement, Lagos

This open letter is a clear indication of the movement’s readiness to ensure the success of the planned protests, emphasizing the importance of adequate support and logistics from the Lagos State government.

The movement’s proactive approach aims to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and protest, while addressing concerns about the safety and convenience of participants.

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