Erstwhile Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Federal Government and its agencies for allegedly attempting to block the planned nationwide protest set for August 1.
Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate in the last election, highlighted the irony of current leaders who previously protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012 now seeking to suppress the rights of others to protest.
In a tweet he shared on Tuesday, July 23, Atiku emphasized that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed for all citizens. He urged the government to focus on providing a safe and secure environment for peaceful demonstrations, rather than trying to stifle dissent.
According to him, Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the ‘’hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government. ‘’
He tweeted;
“For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are ENSHRINED in the Nigerian Constitution and AFFIRMED by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.
“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. -AA”
