In a statement issued by its coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, the Take It Back Movement’s Lagos State chapter criticized Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allegedly misusing judicial authority to restrict freedom of association through the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
The group informed the governor and his administration that they are responsible for arranging the transportation of protesters between various locations in Lagos and the designated protest sites: Peace Park in Ketu and Gani Fawehinmi Justice Park in Ojota.
This follows a Lagos High Court ruling on Tuesday, which granted an ex parte application by the state’s Attorney General, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Lawal Pedro, to limit the proposed nationwide protest to these two locations from August 1-10, and only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
In response, the Take It Back Movement held an emergency meeting and identified seven alternative gathering points for protesters, including Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, Okota Link Bridge, LASU Campus gates, Iyana Ipaja Underbridge, and Agege Pen Cinema. They requested that the governor provide clean, safe, and air-conditioned buses to transport protesters from these points to the approved protest sites.
The statement highlighted concerns about the Attorney General’s covert acquisition of the court order, which the group views as an abuse of judicial privilege aimed at suppressing freedom of association. They emphasized that the governor’s administration should take responsibility for organizing transportation to the designated protest locations.
The group also advised that buses should be available from 6 a.m. to transport protesters and return them to the convergence points by 6 p.m. daily from August 1-10. They warned that if transportation is not provided, protesters may have to march or walk to the designated parks.
Lastly, they noted that protests might extend beyond the initial 10 days and advised the government to prepare contingency plans for any extended actions. They also cautioned that rallies and processions will occur, and bus operators should park at a safe distance from protest activities.