Popular music star, Innocent Idibia a.k.a 2face, has backed out of the planned nationwide protest, announcing its cancellation 24 hours to the cancellation of return and resumption of office by President Muhammadu Buhari. The African Queen crooner announced the cancellation of the protest via his Instagram page, Official2baba Saturday evening. In the video clip, 2face said, “Dear Nigerians, after due consultations, it has become clear that the #OneVoice Nigerian protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja on Monday the 6th of February is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals. The point and intent am making is not worth the life of any Nigerian.
“It is a fact motivated by the need to demand a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian.
“I therefore announce the cancellation of the planned protest. We will share further information in due course… I appreciate the massive support and I am convinced that our voices have been heard.
“May God bless you all and may God bless Nigeria,” 2face concluded. Recall that 2face had, a few weeks ago, called on Nigerians to join him in a nationwide protest against what he described as the unfavourable policies implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration which have brought the Nigerian economy to its knees. The protest which was initially slated to hold on the 5th of February 2017 was later shifted to tomorrow 6th so that it would coincide with the resumption day of President Buhari who has been on a 10-day working leave in London. Specifically, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina had, while playing host in an interview with Lagos Talk 91.3fm, described the planned protest as coming from disgruntled people still living under the defeat mode of the 2015 election.
He had said: “This is a country of about 180 million people. It is impossible for 180 million people to think the same way. Yoruba has a saying that if you all sleep and put your head in the same direction, then you are all foolish because you would be breathing in one another’s mouth and lungs.
“Don’t forget the last election and how it went. Somebody scored 12.5 million votes, another scored about 15 million votes. There are some people who are still in that election mode. They have not gotten out of it and till today, they are still living and ‘rheumatisizing’ about the past.” “What they don’t know is that that past is gone and gone forever. Majority of those calling for the protest are still in election mode. Majority of them are people that have resolved not to see anything good in this administration simply because the man they wanted lost at the polls.” Similarly, Buhari’s spokesperson on electronic media, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, had also called the African Queen crooner to come to a national TV and explain his “beef” with Buhari instead of going on national newspapers. According to her, “Nigerians would like 2Baba to explain the policies that he’s not happy with on National LIVE TV, as well as proffer alternative economic policies that would better serve all Nigerians. Not on newspapers that could have been written by anyone.
“That way, Nigerians will know it’s entirely his idea, that he understands what he’s doing, and acting in the interest of all Nigerians. Otherwise, we might assume that the protest is for those who miss the heist that happened under You know who. Nigerians are waiting. Thank you Sir,” she said. In support of the two above, the Lagos state police commissioner, Owoseni had threatened to stop or even arrest the crooner on the pretext that the force had gotten an intelligence report that some hoodlums equally planned on hijacking the protest to cause mayhem.” He had said: “Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest and at such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos.” He said: “Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest and at such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos.” “We know that Tuface does not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” Owoseni said. According to him, “no matter how good an intention is, hoodlums would always find a way to harass, rob and attack innocent members of the public who may wish to go about their lawful duties.” However, despite the threat, the pop artiste had vowed to go ahead with the peaceful protest especially as many stakeholders had equally voiced support for the protest.
