By Sodiq Adelakun
In a contrast of leadership styles, President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have taken opposing stances on the right to peaceful protest, as Nigerians prepare for a nationwide hunger protest against economic hardship.
While Tinubu urges citizens to shelve the planned protest, promising to address their concerns, Atiku defends the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, warning that suppressing protests is “unconstitutional and undemocratic.”
Atiku on Tuesday strongly defended the constitutional right of Nigerians to engage in peaceful protest, amid growing economic challenges and reports of planned demonstrations.
Atiku emphasised the legal basis for public demonstrations, saying, “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts.”
He cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which “unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.”
Atiku criticised attempts to discourage or prevent protests, saying, “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.”
He also highlighted the hypocrisy of those currently in power, saying, “It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012.”
Atiku called on the government to fulfil its responsibilities in safeguarding citizens’ rights, stating, “A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.”
Atiku further warned about the implications of suppressing protests, saying, “Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to cancel the planned nationwide hunger protest, assuring them that his administration will address their concerns and deliver on its promises.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that President Tinubu made the appeal after a closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Idris quoted the President as saying, “On the issue of the planned protest, Mr. President does not see any need for that. He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas.”
Idris further stated, “So, there is no need for strike. The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.”
The President’s appeal comes days after calls for nationwide protests from August 1-10 against the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
In the same vein, Amnesty International has cautioned the Federal Government against threatening Nigerians planning to protest against the current hardship and hunger in the country, stating that such actions are unlawful and a clear attack on freedom of assembly.
The organisation reacted to comments made by a presidential aide, Olusegun Dada, who warned that intending destruction of the country in the guise of protest would meet the strongest resistance.
“Those who want to burn the country down under whatever guise will meet the strongest resistance of their lives. Not from security agencies, but from the silent majority that gave their mandate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for four years in the first instance. We are waiting,” Dada posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Amnesty International responded, “Threatening peaceful protesters is unlawful. It is a clear attack on freedom of assembly — which is guaranteed by international law and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. Nigerians must not be denied the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to peaceful protest; through veiled threats of violence and false insinuations.”
In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned against the planned nationwide protest, stating that it is ill-advised and could lead to violent consequences.
Egbetokun said, “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilising potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.”
He acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but emphasised the need to prevent violence.
“While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.”
Egbetokun cited the example of the #EndSARS protest, which he said led to destruction of public assets and loss of lives.
“Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise. Rather than lead to any positive outcome, EndSARS merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.”
He urged citizens to abandon the planned protest, saying, “Hence, our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously.”
Egbetokun also warned hoodlums not to disguise themselves as protesters, saying, “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.”
In a surprising move, students of various tertiary institutions in Lagos State have distanced themselves from the planned national protest against the federal government, instead opting for a ‘Solidarity Walk’ to support the state government’s efforts in education.
The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Lagos, said they would embark on a ‘Solidarity Walk’ from August 1 to 10 to appreciate the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to education in the state.
Chairman of NANS in Lagos, Comrade Lekan Alimi, said, “We cannot afford to let the destructive events of the past, such as the EndSARS protests, repeat themselves. Our priority is to defend and preserve the peace and prosperity of Lagos.”
Alimi praised the state government’s efforts in education, saying, “The Lagos State Government has prioritised education in its agenda, leading to the establishment of new schools and proper funding of existing ones.”
He also commended Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to students, saying, “The Governor has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the student constituency. From the increment of bursaries and scholarships to the generous donation of buses to all tertiary institutions in Lagos, the Governor has shown that he values and supports the growth and development of students in our state.”
Other student leaders, including Comrade Titilayo Ekundayo and Comrade Hafiz Olufowobi, also expressed their support for the state government and disowned the planned national protest.