Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, said that attempts to put an end to nonviolent protests are insulting to democracy and illegitimate.
Atiku’s outburst coincides with the growing resistance to the upcoming nationwide protest from both people and groups.
He said that the Nigerian constitution guarantees the freedom to protest, and the judiciary has upheld this right.
On Tuesday, Atiku posted this assertion on his X account. “To be clear, citizens’ rights to protest are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and upheld by our courts,” the author said.
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“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.”
Atiku went on to say that anything less than a safe and secure atmosphere for citizens to engage in nonviolent protest is unconstitutional, and that a responsible government should provide that.
“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,” he said.
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