Group condemns reopening of Lekki tollgate before end of investigation

• Says decision attempt to cover up killings • Restates call for independent panel of inquiry

ANON- GOVERNMENTAL Organisation, the Youth Rights Campaign ( YRC), has condemned the decision of the Lagos State Panel of Inquiry on ENDSARS protests to return possession of the Lekki tollgate to Lekki Concession Company ( LCC).

It said the decision undermined the demand for justice by Nigerians, as the issues surrounding the tragic events of October 20, 2020 had not been resolved, pointing out that the decision was an attempt to deny the youths justice.

The group, in a statement, yesterday, signed by its National Co- ordinator, Adaramoye Michael and Secretary, Francis Nwapa, said that the Lagos State panel, on the basis of lacking independence and democracy, was not capable of ensuring justice and bringing to book all those culpable in the Lekki shooting and killing of protesters in the country before and on October 20, 2020.

According to them, what motivated the panel’s decision is the revenue loss being experienced by LCC due to the closure.

“As far as we are concerned, the human lives lost at the tollgate are far more precious and valuable over the profit of a few murderous fat cats who from available evidence colluded with the murderous government to drown the youths’ revolt in blood.

“We hereby demand a reversal of this decision. Instead, we call for expeditious conclusion of investigation in order to ensure justice is speedily done in the interest of families and friends of victims of the killings.

“However, for the duration of the closure of the tollgate, we demand no loss of pay or jobs for the tollgate workers. Given the enormous profit the company has generated since 2011, it should have enough stored away to guarantee the pay and jobs of its workers.

“We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and the Trade Union Congress ( TUC) or their affiliates to immediately commence collective bargaining process with the management of LCC to guarantee the workers’ rights.”

AHEAD of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has inaugurated a 17- man committee to review its operational plan for the next five years. Speaking at the ceremony yesterday in Abuja, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the review would form the basis for the full formulation of the election project plan for the 2023 ballot.

According to him, it will also help the commission to identify all events, programmes and actions that needed to be implemented before the election.

Yakubu recalled that INEC’S first strategic plan, within which general elections were anchored, was developed to serve as a compass for the commission’s activities between 2012 and 2016. It was reviewed to cover the period 2017 to 2021 and would also be reviewed to cover the period 2022 to 2026. “The commission believes that we can’t approach election management on ad hoc basis; but we must deliberately plan for elections. It will also help us to track the off- season governorship elections taking place between this year and 2023 to ensure that these elections are also properly implemented.

“Both the strategic plan and the election project plan will enable the commission to monitor all the processes through our election management system platforms. So, this is a very important exercise for the commission to be undertaken,” he stated.