Nigerians have every right to protest —Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has given his support to the planned EndBadGovernance protests scheduled to start from August 1 to 10.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement on his X account on Tuesday, said Nigerians have the right to protest the “hunger, anger and despair caused by the incompetence and ignorance of this government” as stated in the country’s constitution.

He, however, took a dig at the Presidency and the APC for their alleged attempts to crack down on the protesters, saying it would be tantamount to chasing shadows if they tried to stop Nigerians from exercising their rights.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the right of citizens to protest has been DESCRIBED in the Nigerian Constitution and AFFIRMED by our courts,” Atiku wrote.

“Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) expressly guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.

“Chasing shadows and looking for people who are suspected of being behind the planned protests is futile because it is clear that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC party, are caught up in the hunger, anger and despair caused by the incompetence and ignorance of this government.

“It is ironic that those who are now trying to curb these rights were the ones who led the protests in 2012.

“A responsible government must ensure a SAFE and SECURE environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to PEACEFUL PROTEST.

“Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but also a direct affront to our democracy.

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Nigerians have the right to protest —Atiku first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.