Protesters have demanded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen intervene in a longstanding dispute over land between OLUSCO Group and Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Protesters marched for the second time at the disputed site near City Gate, adjacent to House on the Rock Church, with placards and issuing a desperate appeal for intervention before the situation gets out of hand.
Speaking to reporters, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, Executive Director of Civil Right Advocacy, and Innocent Ohalete, underlined that the impasse had choked OLUSCO Group’s activities, shedding light on the need for government mediation.
Following protests, a petition was handed in at the Police Headquarters in Abuja, urging the President to direct respective authorities to look into the dispute and restore peace.
Ohalete also insisted on the establishment of an inquiry panel to investigate matters pertaining to the controversy, in addition to requesting protection of citizens and businesses involved.
Civil Right Advocacy explained that the altercation started with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between OLUSCO Group and PMAN for the joint use of the land, which later broke down, causing tensions.
The demonstrators demanded that the Federal Government and the National Assembly leadership facilitate negotiations and mediation, threatening that inaction within a limited time could widen the crisis.
