News Investigators/ The Presidency has taken a swipe at the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, urging him to learn from British opposition leader, Rishi Sunak the act of nationalism in opposition.
The Presidency who described Mr. Abubakar as “a supporter” and “enabler of destructive protest” was reacting to a tweet by Mr. Abubakar on his official X handle in which he warned the military against using lethal force against the #Endbadgovernanceinnigeria protesters.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement expressed surprise that Mr. Abubakar could still rely the Constitution provisions “to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot.”
“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.
“Our security forces have remained professional and even-handed and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters.
In the statement titled ” Atiku Abubakar’s Diminishing Status” the Presidency said “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.
According to the statement, ” former Vice President Atiku Abubakar this evening 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.
The statement highlighted conditions under which the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly could be abridged.
“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,” Mr. Onanuga added.
