Presidency Affirms Nigerians’ Right to Peaceful Protest

Nigerians are constitutionally entitled to peaceful protest, and no one can revoke this right – Presidency

This statement was made at the meeting of the pro-government protests, convened by the chairmen of the APC state chapters held across the country.

The government is also trying to calm down youths ahead of a planned protest on August 1, which is expected to last for 10 days. However, the Inspector-General of Police has summoned the legal adviser to the protest organizers for a meeting.

Many Nigerians are calling for the protest against hardship to be cancelled, fearing it could turn violent. But 36 civil society organizations have reaffirmed the right to peaceful protest as a fundamental part of democracy.

The Presidency has made it clear that no one can stop peaceful protests, and that it’s the power of protest that brought democracy back to Nigeria.

According to a news report, the government is offering jobs and grants to young people to discourage them from protesting. The protest is against the high cost of living, which has led to a 28-year-high inflation rate of 34.2%.

Religious leaders and traditional rulers have joined the government in discouraging young people from protesting, fearing it could lead to violence and harm the economy.

The police and army have warned against the protests, saying they could get out of control. But protesters say they have the right to peaceful demonstrations and that the government’s warnings are just an excuse to stop them.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has blamed the planned protest on politicians who lost the 2023 elections, saying they want to come to power through the back door.

The South-West Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress has appealed to Nigerians to ignore the protest, saying the current hardship will soon give way to better times.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has ordered all universities to ensure the safety and security of staff, students, and property ahead of the planned protest.

The Presidency has reiterated its support for peaceful protests in the country. Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, stated this in a TV interview on Sunday night. He said no one has the right to stop Nigerians from protesting peacefully, adding that protests played a key role in bringing democracy back to Nigeria.

Ngelale emphasized that the government serves the people, not the other way around. He quoted President Bola Tinubu as saying that peaceful protests are essential to a functioning democracy. He warned that anyone who disagrees with this stance is opposing the President, who will defend Nigerians’ right to peaceful protest.

While acknowledging concerns that the protest might turn violent, Ngelale stressed that this shouldn’t stop peaceful protests. He referenced the #EndSARS protest, which led to the destruction of property, especially in Lagos. He noted that the actions of a few should not deprive the majority of their rights. The government will prevent those who want to hijack the protest from succeeding.”

The Presidency has emphasized that it is committed to serving the people and will defend the right to peaceful protest.

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