NEWSBREAK August 1: Peter Obi supports mass protest, Abia Governor differs

August 1: Peter Obi supports mass protest, Abia Governor differs

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Labour Party, (LP)2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed full support for the planned August 1 protest.

But the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti who is also of the Labour Party, (LP) cautioned about the protest adding that the organisers should first seek police permit.

The organisers of the protest have remained largely anonymous but the vibration of their plot is heard across the country.

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, Obi said Nigerians have the right to protest against bad government policies.

He spoke while visiting the Abia State Governor, Mr Alex Otti, on Sunday.

Obi said protesting against injustice is a legitimate right of every Nigerian.

He said the right is guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution. Irohinoodua was informed that many supporters of Obi across the country are in support of the planned protest.

Obi said “On the issue of protest, within the Nigerian constitution, protest is allowed.”

Obi however said protesters should conduct themselves peacefully.

He said “All I plead is for those who are protesting to do so within the law, and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.”

He said Nigeria is facing unprecedented hunger, poverty and agony which affects the health of the country and political stability.

He also listed hunger and hopelessness as main sources of the growing dissent in the public space.

He said “Everybody knows that things are difficult. When they talk about the sponsors of the protest, I say, the sponsors are hunger and hopelessness among the youth. We all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through, and I thank our governor for doing so; it is critical and important.”

He called on the police and other security operatives to operate within the context of law.

“What I say to the security agencies is that they should ensure they manage the situation within the law. We should not try to be overbearing. Protest is allowed everywhere globally. Even in my house, people protest, and it’s for us to listen to those who are protesting, engage them—that’s what governance is about. I was governor for years, and people protested.”

Otti however differ with Obi.

On his part, Otti said “It will be very unfair to say that things are not difficult now. Things are very difficult, and hunger is real. But how do you solve the problem?”

Otti said the economic challenges of the country were accumulated over many years.

“First of all, for you to organize a protest, the law requires that you get permission from the security agencies, particularly the police, and somebody should take responsibility for getting that approval. If you don’t have the approval, then it will be against the law for you to be protesting on the streets.”

Otti further cautioned: “My final word is that people should think about the implications of pouring out on the streets and restricting the movement of other people, possibly inflicting harm and more hardship on the people.”