By Ini Ekpo
Hours after Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun issued guidelines for the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1, opposition parties have decried the conditions, asserting they contravene Nigeria’s constitution.
They emphasized that the right to protest is recognized as a fundamental human right in Nigeria and protected by the constitution.
Egbetokun had responded to requests for nationwide protests by setting guidelines for organizers and participants. He directed them to submit their details, proposed routes, and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. Additionally, he insisted that commissioners be provided with details of measures to prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements.
The police chief expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the gathering and mentioned plans to arrest suspected hoodlums disguised as protesters.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also claimed it uncovered plans by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country. In a statement, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya described the protest’s motive as political.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters warned against any form of violence, stating that the right to protest does not include unleashing terror. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, raised concerns that the protest could escalate into chaos based on military intelligence.
Opposition Reactions
Concentrate on Protecting Protesters – NNPP
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, stated that going after protesters was a violation of their constitutional rights. He emphasized the importance of protecting peaceful protesters and preventing the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums or unscrupulous politicians.
PDP Not Surprised by Threats – Spokesman
Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), criticized the government’s use of security apparatus to intimidate citizens. He accused the government of trying to suppress dissent and inflict hardship on Nigerians.
Tinubu Should Tread Carefully – LP
The Labour Party advised the presidency and security agents to tread carefully, warning that threats to clamp down on protesters could backfire. LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, highlighted the need for peaceful protests and urged the government to address the people’s grievances.
Accusations Against Opposition Insult to Nigerians – Northern CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states expressed concern over the planned protests and urged President Tinubu to address the economic hardship and insecurity plaguing the country. CAN recalled the 2012 ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest and emphasized the citizens’ right to peaceful protests.
Organizers’ Responses
Deji Adeyanju, one of the protest organizers, accused the IG of trying to rewrite the constitution with his directives. He emphasized that the constitution confers the right to protest without conditions. Adeyanju also accused security agencies of harassing organizers and freezing their accounts to intimidate them.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the ‘Take It Back Movement,’ stated that the organizers were not bound by the IG’s directives and would proceed with the protests. He alleged that social media influencers were being paid to discredit activists and protesters.
Omoyele Sowore, Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, reiterated that the police could not dictate how citizens should protest. He called on security agencies to submit the names of their officers deployed for the protest to ensure accountability.
Government and APC Responses
Shelve Planned Protest – Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, advised shelving the planned protest in the country’s interest. He urged Nigerians to remove non-performing governments through the ballot rather than protests.
Tinubu’s Government After Solution, Not Protesters – APC
Bala Ibrahim, National Publicity Director of the APC, argued that the government’s response was being misinterpreted. He emphasized that the government is committed to addressing citizens’ grievances peacefully and lawfully, urging protesters to avoid violent demonstrations.
