In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his comments regarding the ongoing unrest in several states.
Onanuga’s remarks come in response to a tweet by Abubakar, where he cautioned security agencies against using lethal force on individuals involved in the protests.
Onanuga who described Abubakar’s statement as “absurd,” arguing that as a statesman, he should have directed his warnings towards the individuals engaging in looting and arson under the guise of protesting.
“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar this evening tweeted the absurd: he warned security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists who masqueraded as protesters.
“As a statesman, his warning ought to be to the looting mob in Kaduna,Kano, Plateau, Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organizers as a peaceful protest.Our security forces have remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters”.
The protests, initially described by organizers as peaceful, have reportedly escalated into violent riots in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Jigawa states.
The Presidential Adviser defended the actions of the security forces, stating they have shown professionalism and restraint despite facing provocation from rioters. He emphasized that while the Nigerian constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and expression, these rights are not absolute and can be limited in the interest of public peace and safety, as outlined in Section 45 of the constitution.
Onanuga praised the Service Chiefs and security personnel for their commitment to maintaining law and order, suggesting that Abubakar’s comments could be interpreted as support for the ongoing unrest. He expressed disappointment that the former vice president would seemingly condone actions leading to the destruction of public and private property.
“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 the right of freedom of expression are not absolute. They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public 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 and the officers and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country”.
Drawing a comparison with the United Kingdom, Onanuga called on Abubakar to emulate the nationalistic stance of opposition figures there, who have condemned recent riots and called for accountability. He cited Rishi Sunak, the immediate past Prime Minister of the UK, as an example of an opposition leader who has supported government efforts to maintain order.
“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. A tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and investments of citizens is unbecoming of 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 borrow a leaf from opposition figures in United Kingdom 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”,the statement read.
