Hardship protest: APC kicks as opposition tackles DSS, police over arrest threat
Hours after Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced rules for the planned statewide #EndBadGovernance protest on August 1, opposition parties criticised the conditions, claiming they violate Nigeria's constitution.They emphasised that the freedom to protest is regarded as a fundamental human right in Nigeria and is guaranteed by the constitution.
In response to requests to demonstrate around the country, Egbetokun established guidelines for all organisers and groups wanting to participate.
He expressly instructed them to provide their information, recommended routes, and assembly sites to the Commissioners of Police in their various states.
The IG further stated that police commissioners in states where protests will take place must be informed with details on the measures put in place to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the demonstration.
The police chief had previously expressed doubts about the authenticity of the gathering, stating that plans had been prepared to arrest suspected hoodlums posing as protestors.
The Department of State Services, on the other hand, claimed it discovered a plot by some criminals to hijack the demonstration and sow disturbance throughout the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, labelled the planned protest as political.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters also advised prospective protestors against any kind of violence, noting that the right to protest did not involve the use of terror.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, who delivered the message in Abuja, expressed fear that the planned statewide protest could devolve into disorder based on the military's analysis and information.
Concentrate on defending protesters—NNPP
In an exclusive interview with Nigerianwatch, Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People's Party, stated that going after demonstrators violated their constitutional rights. He said that rather than cracking down on those who are legally practicing their civic rights, efforts should be taken to protect them.
Johnson stated, "I do not believe there is a need to tighten down on demonstrators. Nigerians are entitled to utilise their constitutional right to protest. They should not be harassed in any manner. Protesters, on the other hand, must do all in their power to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums or sent persons. Hoodlums are one thing; people dispatched by corrupt politicians to incite conflict and mayhem are another. These individuals should be resisted. The police must also keep the demonstrators in a calm environment and prevent them from being infiltrated by those who want to cause mayhem and damage property. That is what they should do, not threaten or scare people.
Threats to silence opposition do not surprise the PDP, according to its spokesperson.
Also, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People's Democratic Party, said it was sad that the administration intended to utilise the security apparatus to scare its citizenry.
He stated, "What you see the police and DSS doing is scripted. It is quite unfortunate. The government's attempt to silence dissenting voices is not surprising given their history. They made it clear before assuming power that they would not tolerate resistance. So, they began by selecting people they believed would have a voice and incorporating them into their team. They have not stopped since winning the election. This government's objective is clear: to inflict maximum suffering and injury on Nigerians while suppressing voices of opposition, which will most likely raise concerns to their strategy. They have caused immeasurable agony for Nigerians. They have even gone so far as to assure that fear and intimidation are the only means by which they will dominate this country.
Tinubu should go cautiously - LP
Similarly, the opposition Labour Party has warned the presidency and security agents to exercise caution, saying that any threat to crack down on the people might be detrimental.
In an exclusive interview with Nigerianwatch, LP's National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, stated that the country should learn from what happened in neighbouring Kenya and the government's attitude to the people.
He stated, "As a party, we will not support any violent protest." We are not speaking for the demonstrators. But a hungry guy is angry. These folks are unable to feed or transport themselves freely, and they cannot even afford to send their children to school while earning pitiful incomes. But you want them not to talk? I believe that is undemocratic. We watched what happened in Kenya a few weeks ago, when people spoke up peacefully and the Kenyan government acted appropriately. Nobody is advocating for violence. Everyone who participates in violent protests should pay the price. However, we insist on allowing Nigerians to express their opinions peacefully.
Yunusa Tanko, campaign spokesman for LP presidential candidate Peter Obi, stated that Nigerians deserved better treatment. The activist emphasised that it would be wrong to scare individuals planning to demonstrate with arrest because protest is one of the rights guaranteed in a democratic system.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states, including Abuja, the planned statewide hunger strikes are a signal that the country has deteriorated significantly. CAN claimed that Nigerians had been "suffering and smiling" for too long, and the government had shown little concern.
On Saturday, the body issued a statement in Kaduna through its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, expressing worry about the planned nationwide demonstration and urging the President to take tangible actions to address the country's economic misery and insecurity. It also urged Nigerian politicians to be aware of their acts and inactions.
CAN recalled President Tinubu's 'Occupy Nigeria' protest in 2012, which aimed to force former President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse his decision to remove the petrol subsidy during his administration, and stated that those in power must recognise that in a democracy, citizens have the right to peacefully protest issues affecting their welfare. "Rather than attempting to induce and influence some religious and traditional leaders to end the protest, as some have speculated, the government should apologise for its inability and failure to address challenges threatening the country's very foundation and improve people's living conditions. President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy over a year ago, but Nigerians have yet to reap the advantages; the Nigerian state continues to undermine insecurity. We ask for prayers for peace, harmony, and stability in our country. "Pray for God's intervention in our country," the Northern CAN said.
Meanwhile, in a phone interview with our journalists, one of the protest organisers, Deji Adeyanju, claimed the IG was attempting to rewrite the constitution with his directives.
The human rights activist argued that Nigeria's constitution guaranteed individuals the freedom to protest.
He said, "When the constitution granted citizens the freedom to demonstrate, did it specify the conditions for protests? Is the IG attempting to rewrite the Constitution? Is he attempting to distribute rights to citizens or what? He possesses no such powers. The constitution and other laws of the land do not grant the IG the authority to prescribe how civilians should demonstrate."
Furthermore, Adeyanju accused security forces of harassing demonstration organisers and freezing their accounts.
He claimed that some of them had been arrested in states such as Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara before being released following public censure and outrage.
The human rights activist stated that it was an attempt to frighten them into abandoning the protest, but they remained steadfast.
In the same vein, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the 'Take It Back Movement', underlined that the organisers were not bound by the directions.
He stated, "The constitution does not require us to seek official consent for protests. The protests will continue, whether or not the minister or President approves them. We are not bound by the orders of the Inspector General of Police or anyone else in government.
"The rule of law and our conscience are our guiding principles, and the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended) grants Nigerian citizens the right to peaceful assembly and peaceful demonstrations."
Adenola claimed that, in addition to blocking the organisers' accounts, social media influencers had been hired to target activists and individuals who expressed interest in the event.
He said, "They've stopped the 'Take It Back Movement' bank account with UBA. We've learnt that they are now bribing social media influencers to defame human rights campaigners and nonviolent demonstrators.
Mr Omoyele Sowore, Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, also spoke out against the IG directive on X.com, saying that the police could not prescribe how citizens should conduct protests.
He did, however, ask all security organisations to submit the identities of their officers who will be deployed during the protest.
Sowore added, "The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DaysOfRage revolt is not subject to any conditions; the @PoliceNG cannot tell Nigerians how to organise themselves during a mass action of this magnitude." However, the IG of @Policeng is advised to submit a list of police officers who will be deployed to cover these direct actions to our lawyers so that we know who to hold accountable if anything goes wrong; the same goes for the @OfficialDSSNG, @HQNigerianArmy, and any security agency (IRS) that may be deployed by the state or federal government of Nigeria."
Shelve planned demonstration, Kwankwaso.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People's Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, stated that cancelling the planned demonstration would be in the country's best interests. In a tweet on his X handle on Saturday, the former governor of Kano State urged Nigerians to prioritise the country's interests over all other considerations. The NNPP's national chairman urged Nigerians to dismiss a non-performing administration by voting rather than protest.
Tinubu's government seeks solutions, not protesters - APC
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress sees the situation from a different angle.
The APC's National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, believes the government's answer is being misconstrued.
Ibrahim remarked that unless the demonstration organisers and opposition had ulterior objectives, they would appreciate the President going above and beyond to tell them that he was working tirelessly to address their issues.
He said, "When you are devilishly thinking or preparing something cynical, you will imagine that everyone else is thinking the same way. There is no possibility that a government that practices civility and is constantly at the forefront of human rights will crack down on individuals struggling for their rights.
"This is not an administration that is violent or brutish in response to peaceful protests. The sole requirement is that a protest be nonviolent, lawful, and conducted in a democratically acceptable manner. Anything to the contrary is against the law. A law-abiding government will not stand by and enable people to break the law.
"Don't forget that the President has asked the nation to suspend the demonstration, stating that whatever their problems are, they would be investigated and resolved. This is not an administration that has pledged to perform miracles. No, it aims to address Nigerians' sufferings.
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