For all he stood against during his 71-year existence, late legal luminary and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi resurrected in Lagos on Friday, September 2, 2016.
Fawehinmi, a strong advocate for the masses died about seven years ago after a struggle with cancer, but he has not been forgotten by his devotees and people who believed in his ideologies.
“Freedom comes by struggle, by struggle… freedom comes,” the people chanted as they started the procession of the rally. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
In fact, he is sorely missed by the people whose entitlements he fought for with every thing he had, including the aspiration to become Nigeria’s president on the platform of the National Conscience Party (NCP).
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, president Women Arise for Change Initiative, and other activists during the rally. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
From Ikeja under bridge in the Lagos state capital, human rights groups and some other faithful of the late lawyer trekked to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, where they stopped to address the people.
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a human rights activist was also with the people, and called Fawehinmi the defender of masses, adding that he was a quintessentially dogged fighter.
The people marched on the streets of Lagos, chanting Aluta songs. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
In a chat with NAIJ.com on the streets, she stated that if not for Gani, “we cannot be enjoying some of the things we are enjoying today.
“We have to imbibe all the virtues that Chief Gani Fawehinmi lived and died for. I also encourage the people to rededicate their lives to the struggle so that all he stood and fought for will not be in vain.”
Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, where the people berthed after the long walk from Ikeja. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
Ayodele Akele, chairman, Gani Fawehinmi memorial foundation, also spoke on the legacies of the late legal luminary, stating that he (Gani) can never be forgotten in the country because of the things he stood for during his existence.
The people kept singing and protesting on the streets. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
He also condemned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in its fight against corruption, stating that his anti-graft war is one-sided and if care is not taken, this government might end up as the worst in Nigerian history.
“On the issue of budget padding, it takes two to tangle. The president cannot say that he does know anything about it. He cannot be exonerated from the issue,” Akele noted during the march.
The protesters carried placards bearing images of the late legal luminary during the rally. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
During the rally in Lagos, the people chanted various protest songs such as “freedom comes by struggle”, “solidarity for ever, we shall always fight for our rights”, “when I remember Fawehinmi, water fall from my eyes” among other songs.
The street rally caused congestion on the road on Friday, September 2. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
Taxi drivers were also at the scene of the rally, where they showed that they had been suffering since the late legal luminary died. They carried placards indicating that if Gani were alive, he would have rescued them from their predicaments.
Taxi drivers were also at the scene of the rally, expressing their regrets with the demise of the late lawyer. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
The people ended the march at the Ojota, where most of the people dispersed and left for the continuation of the four-day event which continues in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Sunday, September 4.
Shey democracy leyi? The people sang in Yoruba meaning (is this democracy?) Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
More photos from the event as exclusively taken by our ace photojournalist, Emmanuel Osodi, are presented below:
“Solidarity for ever, we shall always fight for our rights,” the people chanted during the rally. Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
The struggle continues… Photo: Emmanuel Osodi.
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