The Presidency has blasted former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly justifying ongoing violent protests in some States in the north.
Atiku had in his latest tweet, warned 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,” in an apparent reference to the service chiefs.
But reacting, the Presidency said Atiku is steadily diminishing his status by issuing such warning to the security agencies handling the degenerating protests when appropriate warning ought to have directed to the looting and destructive mob masquerading as protesters in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Jigawa states.
In a statement on Tuesday evening by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency accused the former Vice president of still relying on Section 40 of the constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that has turned to an obvious riot and a rampage in some parts of the country.
Describing him as a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests,’ the Presidency noted that Atiku wanted the sinister protests to continue despite the street’s red signals.
According to the statement, a tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and citizens’ investments is unexpected from a former vice president of Nigeria.
The statement reads:”Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar this evening(Tuesday)tweeted the absurd, warning security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists who masqueraded as protesters. As a statesman, his 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.
“Our security forces have remained professional and 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 our constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country. 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. The Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely. They, however, reinforced their constitutional duty today when they said they can not sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.
“The Service Chiefs, 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 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.”
