Those who led protests in 2012, are now trying to stifle people’s rights — Atiku
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has taken a strong stance against the Federal Government’s efforts to thwart the upcoming August 1 protests planned nationwide. Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the last election, pointed out the irony in the current administration’s actions, noting that those who protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 are now trying to suppress the rights of others to do the same.
Reports from Daily Trust indicate that states across Nigeria are tense due to the impending 10-day nationwide protest, organized by some youths to highlight the increasing hunger and hardship faced by citizens. The organizers have emphasized that “this hunger is too much.”
In a statement on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku defended the right of citizens to protest, emphasizing that this right is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. He stressed that the government’s role should be to provide a safe and secure environment for peaceful protests, not to suppress them.
Atiku asserted, “For clarity, the rights of citizens to protest are embedded in the Nigerian Constitution and upheld by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association. Attempting to identify and target individuals behind these planned protests is futile when it is clear that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are suffering from the widespread hunger, anger, and despair caused by the incompetence and lack of direction of this government.”
He continued, “It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest. Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.”
