Former VP Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Federal Government's Attempt to Block Planned Nationwide Protests

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the federal government and security agencies for efforts to obstruct the nationwide protests scheduled to begin on August 1. According to Vanguard, the protests are set to address issues including poor governance, economic hardship, and other pressing concerns.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Atiku Abubakar, who was the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), expressed alarm at the government's actions. He noted that even supporters of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are experiencing the severe effects of the current economic challenges.

Atiku highlighted a striking irony, pointing out that those now attempting to prevent the protests were active in demonstrations against the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012. He emphasized that citizens' rights to peaceful protest are protected under Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.

He argued that the efforts to suppress these protests are not only unconstitutional but also a direct challenge to the democratic principles of Nigeria. Atiku called for the government to ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally protected rights to peaceful protest.