In his official X (formerly known as Twitter), Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to claims by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity in Nigeria, that Peter Obi is organizing a nationwide protest.
In a strongly-worded statement, Atiku denounced the Tinubu administration’s focus on scapegoating and shadow-chasing rather than tackling the pressing issues of hunger and desperation.
Atiku highlighted the stark irony of those who once championed protests now seeking to silence the same citizens. He emphasized that a truly responsible government must safeguard its citizens’ fundamental rights, including peaceful assembly and free speech.
“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 protests. Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy”
