The Presidency has reacted to a comment made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests cautioning the federal government against violation of the rights of Nigerians protesting against hunger and economic challenges.
The presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement late Tuesday, asked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, to act like opposition figures in the United Kingdom “who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK”.
Onanuga blamed Atiku for not condemning the looting and destruction that trailed the nationwide protests in Nigeria.
Tribune Online reports that Atiku, on Tuesday, condemned the use of lethal force by security operatives against peaceful protesters, saying those who authorise it will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity.
“I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.
“The constitutional right to protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest,” the lead Opposition figure posted on X.
Reacting to the comment from Atiku, Onanuga, however, said, “As a statesman, his (Atiku) warning ought to be to the looting mob in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organisers as a peaceful protest.
“Our security forces have remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters.”
While commending the security operatives for being professional in their handling of the ongoing nationwide protest, Onanuga said that Section 40 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) guaranteed the right to protest, but Section 45 of the constitution said that the right is not absolute. “They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order.”
“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf from opposition figures in the United Kingdom who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets.
“Such nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of the UK is expected of Alhaji Atiku,” the presidential spokesman added.
. TheWitness