Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, has endorsed nationwide protests against hunger and widespread hardship in Nigeria.
The demonstrations, set to begin on August 1, aim to address the severe economic challenges facing the country.
Atiku strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its efforts to suppress protests in a statement.
He described such efforts as futile and counterproductive, asserting that the government’s incompetence has led to widespread suffering among Nigerians.
“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,” Atiku stated.
He criticized the government for focusing on identifying supposed instigators of the protests instead of addressing the root causes of the public’s discontent.
“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,” he said.
Atiku highlighted the irony in the current administration’s stance, recalling that many of those now attempting to stifle protests were themselves leaders of similar demonstrations in 2012.
He emphasized the responsibility of the government to ensure a safe environment for citizens to exercise their rights to peaceful protest.
“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,” Atiku added