Nigerians angered by musician 2Face's cancellation of scheduled protest

Nigerian musician Innocent Idibia also known as 2Face has cancelled a planned protest against economic hardship citing security concerns.

He posted a video on online mobile photo-sharing site Instagram late Saturday night explaining the reason for canceling the One Voice Nigeria protest scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2017.

“After due consultations, it has become clear that the One Voice Nigeria protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja on Monday, 6th February is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals.

“The point I intend on making is not worth the life of any Nigerian. It is motivated by the need to demand a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian.

“I therefore announce the cancellation of the planned protest … I appreciate the massive support and I am convinced our voices have been heard,” he said.

2Face who had called for the protests last month to demand solutions to Nigeria’s crises received backlash from government officials and later a warning by police who called for a halt of the protest in Lagos for security reasons.

“Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest and as such, we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos,” Lagos State police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni warned on Thursday.

2Face’s cancellation of the protest came as a surprise to supporters especially after earlier insisting on holding the protest despite the warning from police.

“U [sic] shouldn’t have started this in the first place. U [sic] will never be forgotten for being a coward,” a comment on the video read.

“Illiterate greedy 2face. You wanted to be an activist. Did you read up on the civil right movement? Or on people like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela? Did you even study the constitution of Nigeria? It’s your legal right to hold a protest,” said another comment.

Meanwhile, 2Face had support for calling off the protest including from one follower who commented: “Tuface that helped raise awareness is a ‘coward’ but you that did nothing are not? Do you now see why Nigeria has so few helpers? Who would want to die for a people who specialize in stoning their defenders and hailing their oppressors?”

Innocent 2Face Idibia said in the video post that further information will be shared in due cause.

Nigeria continues to suffer from recession and economic crises as a result of falling oil prices among others.

Dear Nigerians!!! Due to security concerns and public safety consideration. I hereby announce the cancellation of the planned March.

A video posted by Innocent Idibia (@official2baba) on Feb 4, 2017 at 1:59pm PST