Group known as the 3RD Force Movement on Friday, decried the Federal Government’s ban on the use of the MKO Abiola Stadium for campaign rally of the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The group said they are calling the attention of all Nigerians to the unpatriotic behavior and attitude of the Federal Ministry of Sports on issue of the release of the National Stadium in Lagos for the mega rally of the Labour Party scheduled to hold tomorrow.
Recalled that a Federal High Court during the week banned the organisers of the Obi-Dati rally from gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate.
A statement by the Director General, NCFront – 3rd Force Movement, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, stated that the group’s attention has been drawn by the organisers of the rally to the refusal of the Federal ministry of Sports to approve the use of the National Stadium located in Surulere.
The OBI-DATTI Lagos rally organisers had l applied to use of the venue in letter dated September 13, which was received same day by the ministry.
However, the ministry has not responded to the request.
The 3rd Force mass movement has appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to persuade on the Minister “to immediately bow to wisdom and allow the peaceful independence rally of Obi-dient Nigerians to take place at the car park of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos as requested by the organisers to avoid unintended jam in Lagos tomorrow”.
According to the statement, failure to approve the request on time, the 3rd Force said they 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.
Bellow is the full press statement:
“IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE. 30th September, 2022
Dear Folks,
“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 Obi-dient Nigerians to 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 is planned to be very peaceful and orderly all things being equal, so government should avoid tacit instigation of confusion.
“This notwithstanding, the Organisers has assured us that the historic March and Mega Rally will hold as scheduled and announced and all Obi-dient Citizens of Nigeria are expected to turn out in large numbers.”