Falana, Falz, Odumakin join Lagos June 12 protest
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, his wife Funmi Falana, and activist Joe Okei-Odumakin were among high-profile attendees at the June 12 protest in Lagos Friday as Nigerians marked Democracy Day.
The protest was organized by human rights groups, trade unions, youth organizations, community associations, social movements, faith-based organizations and other concerned Nigerians to protest insecurity.
Singer and rapper Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz the Bad Guy, also attended.
Earlier, protesters met opposition from a pro-government group that held its rally simultaneously under Ikeja Bridge, the same spot occupied by the Falana-led protest.
The struggle for control of the venue created tension and almost led to physical confrontations before police intervened.
Each side came with heavy music equipment, blasting music in an attempt to drown out the other.
Falana told protesters the demonstration was against the abduction of children in Oyo, Zamfara, Kebbi and other parts of the country.
He also said the protest was called to stop police harassment and hunger, and to demand democracy. “What we have in Nigeria is civil rule, not democracy,” he said.
Falana warned police to do their job by stopping the pro-Tinubu rally from disrupting the protest.
At the time of filing this report, thousands of protesters were marching along Oregun Road with banners reading: “Bring Back Our Children,” “End All Anti-People Policies,” “Tinubu and Capitalism Have Failed Nigeria,” and others.
