Ngerian
hip-hop artist Innocent Idibia, better known as TuFace, has abandoned his
much-hyped plan to lead a nationwide protest against the Nigerian government.
Mr. Idibia had said in several statements that his protest was to draw
attention to the widespread suffering and deepening poverty in Nigeria.
The musical artist,
whose song, “African Queen,” earned him wide recognition in Africa and beyond,
canceled his planned protest late Saturday evening, claiming that his decision
was based on security fears that hoodlums might hijack the planned protest.
The musician’s
statement echoed the sentiment of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai
Owoseni and another release from the Nigerian Police headquarters. Mr.
Owoseni had drawn criticism a few days ago when he threatened to arrest Mr.
Idibia, asserting that police authorities had received intelligence that some
hoodlums would seize the protest as an opportunity to unleash mayhem. After
much criticism, the police soft-pedaled and offered to provide security
personnel to ensure that the protests did not lead to chaos or
criminality.
Mr. Idibia had been
under tremendous pressure since announcing his plans for a nationwide
protest in conjunction with a civil rights and democracy advocacy group called
Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE).
Government officials
had accused Mr. Idibia of acting on behalf of corrupt politicians facing
prosecution or the prospect of prosecution by the Muhammadu Buhari
administration. The musician’s critics cited the car gifts he received from
former Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom during Mr. Idibia’s wedding.
Other critics noted
that the reported decision of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State to back
the protests and possibly attend, cast doubt on the neutrality and the
credibility of the musician’s initiative.
When Saharareporters
contacted Yemi Adamolekun of EiE Nigeria, she restated that the protests would
go ahead in different cities across Nigeria, especially Lagos and Abuja,
regardless of TuFace Idibia's decision to pull out.
SAHARA REPORTS

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