The Third Force Movement has sort permission from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to make use of the National Stadium Lagos, for a rally in support of Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.
The group, in a statement by Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, said this would prevent Obi’s supporters from using other venues like Gani Fawehinmi Park or Lekki Toll Gate.
The Lagos State Chairman of the LP, Mr Kayoed Salako; and Secretary, Mr. Sam Okpala, had on September 13 written the letter to the ministry for approval.
“The proposed date of the rally is 1st October 2022 from the hours of 6am and 7pm. We promise that the rally will be civil and peaceful and to achieve this we have made adequate security arrangements to safeguard the facility and the participants,” they assured.
However, no approval has been received by the movement with just hours to the kick-off of the rally.
Okunniyi said, “Please be notified that the Central Planning Committee of the Lagos 5 Million Man March/Mega Rally has just alerted the leadership of the 3rd Force Movement that in the event that the APC Government refuses to approve the use of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos for the peaceful Obi-dient Independence March/Rally holding tomorrow, Saturday, 1st October 2022, the Organisers would not be able to stop Nigerians from making use of strategic venue like Lekki Toll Gate, and Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park against all odds.
“Consequently, Leaders of the 3rd Force Movement have tried to intervene in this matter but the Federal Ministry of Sports under Mr Sunday Dare is yet to act positively.
“So, all well-meaning Nigerians are implored to appeal to the Sport Minister to immediately bow to wisdom and allow the peaceful independence rally of Obidient Nigerians hold at the car park of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos as requested by the Organisers to avoid unintended jam in Lagos tomorrow.
“Finally, we as leaders of conscience in the Nigerian Civil Society and as Veterans of the assembly of the Nigerian peoples and masses, hereby wish to assure that the Lagos independence march and the mega rally are planned to be very peaceful and orderly all things being equal, so government should avoid tacit instigation of confusion.”
