- Onanuga to Atiku: “ Condemn Looting like UK Opposition”.
- Atiku To FG: “Don’t Intimidate Nigerians…”
By Abiola Olawale
The Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appear to be locked in a fierce war of words.
This is coming as a presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are engaging in a heated arguments over the alleged crackdown on protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance nationwide demonstrations.
Atiku had issued a statement warning to the Federal Government and the security agencies to resist the urge to arrest or use force on protesters who he said were simply exercising their constitutional rights.
In an X post on Tuesday, Atiku, who is one of the lead opposition figures in Nigeria, said: “I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces 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.
“The constitutional right to protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest.
“I am heartened by the acknowledgement by the Nigerian Army of the tragic incident involving the loss of a young protester’s life. May I also suggest that other killings that have taken place by either the military, the police and other security agencies during the #EndBadGovernanceProtest be investigated in the same spirit of accountability. The decision to detain the soldier responsible for this regrettable event is a commendable step towards ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law. My longstanding advice to the service chiefs and military commanders has been clear: there must be no authorization to use lethal force against peaceful protesters. The principle of accountability must be upheld at all times, and the actions taken by the Nigerian Army in apprehending and, I trust, prosecuting the soldier responsible for this incident align with this fundamental principle.”
However, in a swift response, Onanuga responded via a statement Atiku over his comments.
The Senior Presidential aide wondered why Atiku failed to act like opposition figures in the United Kingdom “who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK”.
Onanuga blamed Atiku for not condemning the looting and destruction that trailed the nationwide protests in Nigeria in the last week.
Onanuga, in a statement, said: “As a statesman, his (Atiku) warning ought to be 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, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters.”
Onanuga also argued that Section 40 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) guaranteed the right to protest, but Section 45 of the constitution said that the right is not absolute. “They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order,” he said, commending security agents for being professional.
“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf 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 nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of the UK is expected of Alhaji Atiku.”
