Nigerian hip-pop artiste, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has reacted angrily after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) banned the #EndSARS protests in Abuja, the nation’s capital, for alleged violation of the COVID-19 protocols.
The ban follows a recommendation by the Federal Capital Territory Security Committee.
The FCTA said it was concerned that despite the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, at the weekend, the demonstrations had continued, causing inconveniences to law-abiding citizens.
This was contained in a statement titled,’COVID-19: FCT Security Committee prohibits street demonstrations,’ signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye.
The statement was on a resolution of a meeting held on Tuesday to review the security situation in the FCT and address identified challenges.
At the meeting were the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who chaired the event, and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola; heads of the various security agencies and military formations in the FCT; senior members of staff of the FCTA; representatives of religious and traditional institutions as well as Area Council chairmen.
“While the committee recognizes the rights of citizens as regards freedom of association and movement as enshrined in the constitution, it has observed that the unruly conduct of the crowd and manner of demonstrations are in complete violation of the COVID-19 safety protocols which were put in place to safeguard the lives of citizens,” the statement read in part.
“These violations endanger the lives of not just the demonstrators, but also other citizens going about their legitimate concerns.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the COVID-19 guidelines regulating public gatherings recommend physical distancing, temperature checks, the use of facial coverings, amongst others.
“Clearly, all these guidelines were flouted by the protesters. Consequently, the committee directs that due to the dangers posed by COVID-19, all street demonstrations, protests and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT.”
But the Assurance crooner, Davido, who recently had a meeting with the West African nation’s Inspector General of Police over the protests, faulted the decision of the FCTA.
He noted via his Twitter handle that the Federal Government allowed electioneering and rallies to hold in Ondo and Edo States where cases of violation of COVID-19 protocol were recorded but was against protests in the same country.
He wrote, “Can’t protest but y’all just had campaign rallies and conducted 2 elections recently !!! Do they think ?? Wtf I’m ANGRY