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| Source: www.voanews.com |
Exclusive Interview with Barrister Adesina Ogunlana
By Davy Fidel
Freelance.
On Monday, November 22, 2021, lawyers, radicals, activists, and concerned Nigerians gathered to address the press houses invited on the latest released #ENDSARS Panel Report.
This was after the constituted Panel Inquiry report had been submitted to the led government of Sanwo Olu (Lagos State) awaiting the White Paper next week.
The press conference tagged, #ENDSARS: WHAT NEXT?" was centered on clarifying the recent government disclaims of the massacre the military executed at the Lekki Toll Gate killing peaceful protesters and to make political statements concerning the mayhem unleashed.
This is after one year of the ENDSARS protest that shook Nigeria for twenty days, the Nigerian government forcefully clampdown on using its state apparatus. Added to it, government denied the fact before the world according never responsible to the mayhem and assault unleashed on democratic rights.
https://lifeinslum.blogspot.com/2021/02/october-10-day-young-people-march-end.html?m=1
The Campaigner - a subsidiary of LIFEINSLUM, an online media - was at the press conference held in Ikeja-Lagos to witness it.
Immediately after the press congress, which lasted for three hours with questions from the press asked.
A brief interview was granted to Barrister Adesina Ogunlana, a legal counsel to #Endsars protesters, Co-convener of New Nigeria Network, and Chairman of Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigeria Bar Association.
Q: Sir, following the federal government disclaiming the Lekki Toll Gate massacre. What is your take on it?
A: Well, initially they were disclaiming it that was before the Panel Report. But now the report is out the government is only trying to amend their position to say they are for the Lagos State. So we have expressed our reaction by saying they're just trying to hide behind the fingers. The truth is already out and they don't know how to accommodate it. That is why they are saying that.
Q: Okay, flowing from what you have just explained. I would like to ask. If today the Lagos state government white paper turns the other way around? What then will be the next step for RAMINBA and the Endsars victims?
A: As a lawyer, I would want to say I will wait for my client. I will want to wait for instruction on whether to take it ourselves. But the political options are always there. They are always there for us. Already now, the report has put the Lagos state government on trial. Whether it will be responsible, whether it will be accountable, or whether it will not.
Q: From what you have said about the "White Paper" and the Federal Government denial concerning the issue endears victims. The question I would like to ask you is to also tell Nigerians. What will be the political alternative or your view concerning the state repression?
A: I want to tell Nigerians that they should resist it. They should resist it by way of peaceful and organize protest. Shey, you understand. They should resist it and not be cowardly. Not be quiet. And the Press should come to the aid of our people and tell our story to the whole world. You know. They should increase agitations. We can not be quite under the guise. Added to this, we can not continue to be quiet and enduring. Importantly, we should organize ourselves to fight oppression for us to get our civil liberties and a progressive political program. And if we leave it to the government without political agitations, the government gets cold and you won't enjoy the soup.
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