The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has said the Nigeria Police will respond to the August 1 planned protest by some Nigerians “in a most professional manner.” Mr Egbetokun said this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with strategic police managers, consisting of officers from the ranks of commissioners of police and above.
He said the meeting with the strategic police managers was to share intelligence from the various police commands in the country and analyse the same for the security of the country. “So we are prepared, and I want to assure you that we will manage the protest in the most professional manner,” he said. The IG said the police would remain committed to providing security for those who engaged in peaceful protests.
He stated, “If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful. But we have a duty to protect lives and property, so we will not sit back and watch hoodlums burn down facilities in the name of protest. So, we are not against peaceful protest, we will support peaceful protest by protecting those who will engage in peaceful protest.’’
He said the task of maintaining law and order during the protest would not be a challenge if the protesters engaged in peaceful protest. According to him, it becomes a challenge if the protest is violent. He added, “I have always said that the right to protest is the right to peaceful protest. No civilised society will tolerate violent protest. Violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right.” The IG, therefore, called on Nigerian youths to ignore anyone inciting them to violent protests.
SOURCE: Peoples Gazette
FCT Minister Nyesom Breaks Silence on Planned Nationwide Protest
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1. Wike described the protest as “politically induced” and aimed at diverting attention from the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Apo Karshi Road in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government as it works to address the country’s challenges. Wike’s comments come after President Tinubu called on the organizers of the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest to shelve their plans, citing concerns about the potential impact on the economy and security.
In addition to addressing the protest, Wike also issued a seven-month ultimatum to the contractors of the Apo-Karshi Road to complete the project. He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work and revealed that 80% of the contract sum had been paid. The Apo-Karshi project, awarded in 2011 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has yet to be completed despite the passage of 13 years. Wike attributed the delay to personal and political interests.
SOURCE: Politics Nigeria
Hardship: Atiku backs nationwide protest, blasts Tinubu
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has backed the planned nationwide protests against hunger and widespread hardship in the country, scheduled to begin on August 1. In a statement, Atiku slammed the government of President Bola Tinubu for attempting to suppress the protesters, saying it was 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. He warned that any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to democracy.
Atiku’s statement reads, “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.”