Atiku diminishing own status with support for destructive, looting protesters –Presidency

*Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as ‘a supporter and enabler of destructive protest’, ought to have risen above the sentiment he recently expressed on violence resulting from the nationwide protest, and put Nigeria’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has taken a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent “absurd tweet” in which he warned the Nigerian security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists who masqueraded as protesters.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this in a statement Tuesday, August 6, 2024, said as a statesman, Atiku’s warning ought to be to the looting mob in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organisers as “a peaceful protest”.

The statement noted: “Our security forces have remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters. “We are surprised that Alhaji Atiku is still relying on Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country.”

Onanuga also stated that Section 45 of the Constitution says the right of assembly and the right of freedom of expression are not absolute.

He emphasised that such right could be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order.

The Security Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely, said the Presidential aide.

Onanuga further stated they, however, reinforced their constitutional duty by affirming that they could not sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.

The statement stressed: “The Service Chiefs and the Officers and Men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country.

“As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests’, Alhaji Atiku certainly wants the sinister protest to continue despite the red signals from the streets.”

According to the Presidency, a tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and investments of citizens is unbecoming of a former Vice-President of Nigeria.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said: “Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed, and put the country’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection on our streets.

“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf from opposition figures in United Kingdom (UK) who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in UK, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets.

“Such nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of UK is expected of Alhaji Atiku.”