2011 Polls: Fashola, Shekarau, Utomi Hold Peace Rally
LAGOS, April 11, (THEWILL) - Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Presidential candidate Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and former Social Democratic Mega Party Presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi will tomorrow storm the streets of Lagos in protest against sporadic killings and general violence trailing the ongoing democratization process.
The protest rally will also feature a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisah Agbakoba, erstwhile President of the West Africa Bar Association (WABA), Mr. Femi Falana, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) amongst other political and human rights groups.
At a news conference held in Century Hotel, Okota, Lagos, THEWILL gathered that the rally is jointly organised by the Congress for Political Leaders (CPA), Democratic Alliance, NANS, Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Shekarau for Nigeria campaign.
Speaking at the conference, CPA South-West Chairman, Mr. Austin Nnorom said the groups were moved to action especially by the recent bombing that killed many including Youth Corps members in Suleja, Kogi state.
Nnorom called for massive participation in the rally scheduled to take off from National stadium, Surulere to terminate at Yaba from 10: am to 12: noon.
The coordinator said the rally would condemns killings, violence and other vices that could compromise credible elections in Nigeria, saying “Nigeria is undergoing an election that would either make or mar its status in the comity of nations; we and other well meaning Nigerians are bothered with the spate of killings.
“This rally to be attended by peace lovers and true believers of democracy is a match against violence, we are determined to ensure rancour-free elections; we are matching for peace; we are matching for progress because we want to let people know the imperative of having credible elections,” Nnorom explained.
Speaking at the conference, National Secretary of the Democratic Alliance for Youths, Felicia Oridani pleaded with Nigerians especially the youths to resist being employed by money bag politicians towards thwarting the democratic process.
OPC Secretary-General, Comrade Dare Adesope said the theme of the rally centred on violence-free elections and promised total support of Nigerians. According to him, OPC will do everything possible to ensure that the election is peaceful.