Atiku Defends Nigerians’ Right to Protest Against Economic Hardship

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to assert their constitutional right to peaceful protest amid accusations and threats from the Presidency regarding the planned “End bad Governance” protest slated for August.

Atiku emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to peaceful assembly and association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered). He dismissed accusations from the Presidency that certain individuals were behind the protest as futile.

In his statement on Tuesday, Atiku criticized the government’s attempts to attribute the protest to specific figures, highlighting widespread discontent across various political affiliations due to economic challenges.

He pointed out the irony that current leaders who once led protests against previous administrations are now trying to stifle similar expressions of dissent.

“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012,” Atiku remarked, referencing past demonstrations led by President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Atiku cautioned the federal government that any move to suppress the planned protests in August would undermine Nigeria’s democracy and violate citizens’ rights.

“A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest,” Atiku concluded, urging against any unconstitutional actions to suppress dissent.