GUARDIAN
Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind the planned nationwide protests against hunger and widespread hardship in Nigeria, scheduled to begin on August 1.
In a statement yesterday, Atiku criticised the government of President Bola Tinubu for attempting to suppress the protesters, describing it as an exercise in futility.
He noted that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are affected by the hunger, anger, and hopelessness caused by the government’s incompetence and cluelessness.
Atiku emphasised that the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by the courts, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association. He described it as ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012.
The former vice president called on the government to ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest. He warned that any attempt to suppress these rights is unconstitutional and a direct affront to democracy.
This came as President Tinubu pleaded with aggrieved Nigerians, especially youths, putting the final touches on a planned nationwide protest over the high cost of living to shelve the action, saying there was no need for it.
The President also assured those behind the protest that he had heard their grievances and was working seriously to address all concerns. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris conveyed the President’s plea while speaking with reporters after meeting President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
The Minister revealed that in the closed-door meeting, general issues in the country were discussed, and the President said he was working assiduously to ensure that the country’s economy is placed in a good position.
He said: “We discussed the issue of the country generally, and Mr President has asked me to inform Nigerians again that he listens to them, especially the young people who are trying to protest.
“Mr President is listening to them. He takes what they say seriously and is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good for today and the future.
“The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that. He’s asked them to shelve that plan, and he’s asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas.
“He has listened to them, like I said, and a lot is happening. Only today, the National Assembly expeditiously passed the Bill on National Minimum Wage. You can see how the President is working. It was transmitted only yesterday (Monday), and today (Tuesday), it has been passed.
“A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians.
“So, there’s no need to strike. The young people should listen to the President and allow him more time to see the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.” Idris further highlighted other policies put in place by the government to cushion the effect of hardship Nigerians are feeling in town. He said the federal government approved grains and rice for state governments, which had been delivered expeditiously, stressing that it was just the first step.
