Naira Marley Says no Protest After Police Invitation
Afeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley has called off the nationwide protest scheduled for today, Tuesday 6, October 2020.
In a tweet put out by the musician a few minutes ago, he said “We won’t be protesting anymore because there’s a lot of changes being made right now. As a Marlian we will give them a week to see the changes and if there’s no changes we will start a mass protest.”
This was after the Nigeria Police Force reportedly invited the musician a day before the supposed protest to brief him on the ongoing efforts to address concerns of the Nigerian Youth regarding the operations of a unit of the Nigerian Police Force, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
On Monday, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, had urged the musician and his followers not to embark on the protest as their grievances are being addressed at the highest level of government.
He said “I urge you and other youth not to embark upon any protest. Your grievances are being addressed at the highest level of government. As the Minister in charge of youth, I know this is an issue that must be tackled. Government is doing just that.
On Tuesday, the musician announced he would be having a live Instagram chat with DCP Frank Mba to discuss the concerns of young Nigerians concern SARS operations.
This was after the Nigerian Police Force had tweeted that “@officialnairam1 The Inspector General of Police wishes to inform Nigerian youths that their voices and complaints on the issues of unprofessional conducts by some SARS operatives have been heared very loudly and clearly.”
However, angry Nigerian youth have started attacking the musician, calling him a Coward like Tu Face. Some claimed he has been paid to call off the protest like every other activist in the country.
Scotty Aluta @saintyommite1 said “At first i respected your actions towards planning a protest but my greatest regret is screenshotting your tweet and post in different platforms to salute your courage, now you just chickened out like everyone else! Real revolutionaries dont bow to pressure! I am disappointed.”
I am Riel @Iam_Riel said “Imagine, you don’t do this on the last day, it’d feel like you got threatened, you protest because you want them to change, not because of the changes you expecting, who would come out with you next week? This is wrong na.”
Manlike @fairlyodd_tweet said “I’m so disappointed in Naira marley, we all lashed at the NLC when they did the same thing now look at our so called youth backing down because they held one meeting that wouldn’t change anything.”