Presidency to Atiku: Follow UK Opposition’s Lead, Condemn Looting

The presidency challenges Atiku to condemn looting, drawing parallels to the UK’s opposition stance. Learn more about this political call to action.

The presidency challenges Atiku to condemn looting, drawing parallels to the UK’s opposition stance. Learn more about this political call to action.

The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been confronted by the Presidency for his stance on the aftermath of #EndBadGovernance protests, which aimed to address issues related to hunger and economic difficulties.

On Tuesday evening, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, urged Atiku to follow the example of opposition leaders in the United Kingdom by supporting their government’s condemnation of current riots.

Atiku was accused by Onanuga of failing to denounce the looting and devastation that occurred during last week’s nationwide protests in Nigeria.

Atiku emerged as the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election, which ultimately saw Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge victorious.

Atiku, the primary opponent in Nigeria, issued a warning on Tuesday via an X post. He stated that those who permit deadly force against nonviolent demonstrators will be held accountable for committing crimes against humanity even after their retirement from service. This message is directed towards the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces.

Our supreme law safeguards the constitutional right to protest, an established and reaffirmed principle supported by judicial precedent. The government and security agencies bear a solemn responsibility of providing a secure milieu for people who wish to engage in peaceful protests.

Nonetheless, Onanuga declared in a statement subsequent to that occasion that “Atiku’s admonition should have been directed towards the pillaging gangs in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Jigawa states who seized what had initially been promoted by organizers as a nonviolent demonstration,” given Atiku’s status as a veteran politician.

Despite experiencing extreme provocation by the rioters, our security forces have displayed professionalism and even-handedness. They also exercised utmost restraint in their actions.

Onanuga acknowledged that the 1999 constitution (as amended), under Section 40, grants individuals the right to protest. However, he also noted Section 45 of the same constitution emphasizes limitations on this right as it can be limited in situations when public peace and safety are at risk or for maintaining law and order. He praised security agents’ professionalism while making these observations.

Our encouragement goes out to Alhaji Atiku, urging him to take a cue from the opposition figures in the United Kingdom who have united with the government’s effort towards denouncing and condemning ongoing riots. They demand swift arrest and prosecution of culprits responsible for causing damage and destruction to public as well as private properties alike.

The presidential spokesman stated that he anticipates Alhaji Atiku to exhibit a similar nationalistic attitude as seen in opposition figures such as former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.