LAGOS, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016 – Some Activists on Monday said they had resolved to mobilise the people to begin a political movement that would take away the sufferings of the common man and the poor in Nigeria from Oct. 1.The activists made the decision at a rally to mark the 7th year anniversary of Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos.
The rally was jointly organised by the National Conscience Party (NCP) and a section of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG).
The late human rights lawyer, popularly called “Gani’’, died at 71 on Sept. 5, 2009, after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
During his lifetime, the highly vocal lawyer, who rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stood on the side of the masses and condemned bad government policies, leading to his arrest and detention on numerous occasions.
He also delved into politics and founded the National Conscience Party.
The Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF), Mr Abiodun Aremu, called on Nigerians to rise up and fight for their rights.
According to him, Nigerians do not need to depend on any political party to gain genuine freedom from hardship.
“As from Oct. 1, we are beginning a political mobilisation of the oppressed and education of the people. We will not wait till 2019 to do so.
“The essence of the movement will be to end the suffering of the people and allow the people to gain freedom from bad governance since 1999.
“There is no way freedom can be enjoyed without a struggle; so our bid will be for the workers, traders, students, and every other artisan who do not have who to speak for them,’’ Aremu said.
He said that the movement would not end in Lagos only but would be taken to every state in Nigeria, adding that it would aid in the fight against corruption.
Aremu also said that the movement would change the face of politics in Nigeria.
Various civil society groups attended the rally including some taxi drivers.
Some of the artisans carried placards with inscription such as “Gani, taxi drivers are suffering’’.
“Ambode save us from extortion from taxation, ’’; “the use of N100, 000 to register taxi in Lagos is a fraud and inhuman’’, among others.
