As plans for the August 1 nationwide protest over the hardship in the country continue, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said any attempt to suppress the rights of the people to peaceful protest is unconstitutional and a direct affront on democracy.
He said a responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.
Atiku, who stated this on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, said it was deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle people’s rights were themselves leading protests in 2012.
“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.
“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.