Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has emphasized that it is a constitutional right of citizens to peacefully assemble and protest.
Atiku expressed his support for the planned nationwide protest, highlighting that these rights are also recognized by the courts.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts.
“Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.” He said.
He further claimed that government had no right to silence citizens, stressing that the protests signify the widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians, including supporters of President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, governments responsibility is to ensure the safety and protection of citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful protest, insisting that any attempt to suppress these rights is a threat to democracy.
“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012,” Atiku added.