October 1 Protest: We hope to draw Kwara Governor, President Tinubu’s attention to hardship facing Kwarans – Lanrey Osho
A Kwara-based Human Rights Activist, Comr. Moshood Lanre Osho has stated that the goal of the October 1st planned protest in Kwara State is to draw the attention of the state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq and President Bola Tinubu to the hardship facing Kwarans.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday August 16, Lanrey emphasized that the protest will be peaceful, and will not be done from street to street.
This statement reads: “Today, I was invited to the event Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin for questioning regarding my plans for a peaceful protest on October 1st. I explained to the police that the protest is a citizen’s right, and our goal is to draw the attention of the Governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the hardship facing Kwarans, including high food inflation and transport costs”.
“I informed the police that our protest has two main objectives To request a meeting between Commissioner of police kwara state, the Governor and stakeholders to discuss the pressing issues affecting Kwarans and to urge the Governor to address these issues. If the Governor addresses the high cost of food, inflation, and transport costs before October, we will consider shelving our plans for the protest.
“To request assistance from the security agencies in providing a venue for the protest and ensuring our safety. Our respected and valued lawyer, Barrister Taofiq Olateju . Former Secretary of the Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has offered pro bono services to our cause. He will write to the police next month to request a venue and other necessary assistance please let appreciate his service to humanity fellow Kwaran”, the statement added.
“I emphasized that our protest will be peaceful, and we will not move from street to street. We will remain at the designated venue until our requests are met. I also clarified that anyone who moves on the street and holds protests is not part of us.
“I reminded the police that Kwara State is known for peace, and we are law-abiding citizens. However, we will not be taken for granted, and our voices must be heard. I mentioned that my name and passport have been with the Kwara State Police Command, DSS and EFCC since 2019 as Deputy Coordinator of ENetSuD, despite ENetSuD doesn’t have hand in the protest that we have been working together with security on project tracking.
He commended the state police command for upholding professionalism, recalling the outstanding experience he has had with the command.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation and commendation to the Kwara State Police Command for their exceptional professionalism, particularly under the leadership of present Commissioner of Police. My personal experience with the Command has been outstanding, reminiscent of the excellent service I witnessed during the tenure of retired SP Ajayi Okasanmi and the Inspector General’s stint in Kwara State.
“A notable instance was when I intervened on behalf of a young man erroneously raided at Itamon Junction Three years ago if am still right by the police team from Oloje Police Station, Idi Ogede. The then Commissioner of Police now IG promptly released the individual after I clarified his innocence. This experience has earned my deep respect for the Inspector General of Police , and I applaud kwara state police for their dedication to serving the community with integrity and professionalism.
