The Third Force Movement has urged the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to authorise using the National Stadium in Lagos’ parking lot for the gathering of Peter Obi’s Labor Party, LP, supporters on October 1, 2022.
The Third Force Movement noted that the usage of the stadium would prevent an unplanned lockdown but said that without permission, the organisers could not prevent Nigerians from using alternative locations including Gani Fawehinmi Park or Lekki Toll Gate.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Abuja, received a letter on September 13 from the Chairman and Secretary of the Lagos State LP, Mr. Kayode Salako and Mr. Sam Okpala, requesting permission to hold the rally at the National Stadium in Lagos.
The event is scheduled for October 1, 2022, between the hours of 6am and 7pm. We guarantee that the event will be polite and peaceful, and in order to uphold this commitment, we have put in place sufficient security measures to protect the venue and the attendees.
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On September 13, the ministry acknowledged receipt of the letter and stamped it.
The Third Force Movement, however, claimed that authorisation had not been given 17 days later and just hours before the march.
Okunniyi said: “Please be informed 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 taking place tomorrow, Saturday, 1st October, 2022, the Organisers would not be able to stop Nigerians from making use of
“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 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 aned 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.”
