Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the federal government and security agencies for attempting to thwart nationwide protests planned for August 1.
The protests aim to address bad governance, economic hardship, and various other issues.
On his verified Facebook page, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concern that even supporters of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are suffering from the current economic difficulties.
Atiku criticized President Tinubu and other key figures, who were part of the 2012 protests against then-President Goodluck Jonathan, for now trying to prevent similar demonstrations.
“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,” Atiku wrote.
“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,” he stated.
