The presidency on Tuesday issued a scathing rebuke to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of being an “enabler of destructive protests” and diminishing his own status as a statesman.
The presidency’s reaction stems from a Facebook post by Atiku, in which he cautioned the military and security agencies against using lethal force on Nigerians protesting against economic hardship across the country.
It read, “I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.”
The former VP added, “The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest.”
However, the presidency contends that Atiku’s warning was misplaced, given the violent turn of events in several states where the protests was held.
NewsNGR reported that in states like Kano and Kano, hoodlums looted shops, private business and government premises while the protests were ongoing.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said, “As a statesman, his (Atiku’s) warning ought to have been issued to the looting mob in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organisers as a peaceful protest.”
According to Onanuga, security forces have remained professional and restrained despite provocation.
He added that while the constitution protects the right to assembly and freedom of expression, such rights are not absolute and can be limited in the interest of public safety and order.
Onanuga further expressed shock at Atiku’s reliance on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution to justify what he described as “riots and rampage”.
Onanuga argued, “Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and freedom of expression are not absolute rights. They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, safety, law, and order.”
In a rebuke to the former VP, Onanuga added: “As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests,’ Alhaji Atiku wants the sinister protests to continue despite the street’s red signals. A tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and citizens’ investments is unexpected from a former vice president of Nigeria.
“Alhaji Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed and put the interest of our country’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection on our streets.
“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to adopt a more nationalistic approach that transcends personal interests and focuses on the greater good of our nation. He should take a cue from opposition figures in the United Kingdom who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets. Such a nationalistic temperament, as displayed by opposition figures such as Rishi Sunak, the immediate past Prime Minister of the UK, is expected of Alhaji Atiku.
“If Alhaji Atiku had followed this approach, he would have given hope for a united front against the destructive protests.”