Drama in Kwara as Activist Threatens Police Petition Over Planned APC Protest

Human rights activist and public policy analyst, Mashood Lanre Osho, has accused some aggrieved members of the ruling APC in Kwara State of hypocrisy over their planned protest, saying he was detained and prevented from organizing a similar demonstration in 2024.

Osho, who signed the statement on Sunday, said: “I was detained for mobilizing one million Kwara youths for a peaceful protest in 2024, but today the same APC wants to use the same stadium for its own protest. You cannot fight against the struggle yesterday and then turn around today to lead it.”

According to him, he had formally notified the Kwara State Police Command of his intention to mobilize one million youths for a peaceful protest on October 1, 2024, after observing that issues raised during the August 2024 protest at Metropolitan Square, Asa Dam, Ilorin, had not been addressed by the state government.

He alleged that the then Commissioner of Police, identified as CP Olaiya, invited him for questioning following a petition reportedly written by two government appointees from Kwara North, who, according to him, demanded that he be detained and that the planned protest be stopped.

The activist claimed he was interrogated for about four hours, asked to sign several documents, had his personal details taken, and was subjected to fingerprint checks before being released.

He further disclosed that he later held another meeting with the former police commissioner alongside Alhaji Abdulkadir Shola Muse, after which he suspended the planned protest based on security intelligence.

Osho also expressed appreciation to activist Omoyele Sowore for his encouragement during the period, as well as his lawyer, Barrister Taofiq Olateju, whom he credited for standing by him throughout the ordeal.

He alleged that none of the APC members now planning a protest supported his campaign at the time, adding that one of them had publicly argued that hardship was a nationwide challenge and that protests should not disrupt public peace.

Reacting to reports of a planned protest by aggrieved APC members, Osho said he would petition the current Kwara State Commissioner of Police if the protest goes ahead, insisting that public peace in Ilorin must not be compromised.

He maintained that those seeking redress should pursue their grievances through the courts rather than staging demonstrations capable of causing tension in the state.