Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spoken out against attempts to suppress the upcoming August 1 nationwide protest, stating that it is unconstitutional and a direct threat to democracy.
He emphasized that a responsible government should ensure a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed by the constitution.
Atiku made these comments on his social media handle on Tuesday, highlighting the irony that those who now seek to stifle protests were themselves leading similar demonstrations in 2012.
He stressed the importance of protecting the people’s right to peaceful assembly and expression.
“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.
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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. 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,” the former Vice President wrote.
