Lawyer and APC chieftain, Jesutega Onokpasa, has accused Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar of planning to hijack the planned nationwide protest, scheduled for August 1, as a platform to further their own agendas.
Onokpasa in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, stated that while the right to protest is a fundamental human right, these politicians is using it as a means to “fan the embers of division and discord”
“Our citizens are going through serious challenges. There is hunger in the land, food is expensive, prices just fluctuate, so, our citizens are passing through serious challenges and anybody who pretends that that’s not the case is just being mischievous. Then, the citizens too, have a right to protest. That is the law. It is a fundamental human right.
“However, when you get to a point where failed politicians, people who lost elections have basically hijacked the process, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are basically fanning the embers of division and discord as usual.”
He further expressed disappointment that the “failed politicians” are devolving into chaos rather than constructive demonstrations.
He criticized recent calls from a certain individual abroad, to identify and target supporters of the ruling APC and its leader, Bola Tinubu, emphasising that such actions go beyond legitimate dissent.
“Imagine this fellow who apparently stays in England asking people to identify the houses of APC supporters, Bola Tinubu supporters, their family members, I mean, it is no longer a protest. When you go to that extent, you are now verging on terrorism.”
On her part, the Executive Director of the Enough is Enough Movement (EiE), Yemi Adamolekun however criticised the government, accusing it of using security as scare tactics.
She highlighted recent threats circulating on social media, particularly from Lagos Island, where individuals warned of consequences for participating in the protests.
According to Adamolekun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has failed to address these threats, raising concerns about the state’s commitment to ensuring safety and order.
“Our ongoing comments is if you say you have intelligence that people want to hijack and sabotage the protest, might the intelligence be intelligent to give you who these people are? So, why are you so focused on people who want to protest and not the people who have said they want to cause mayhem?
“Speaking on the comment of the IGP yesterday (Tuesday), we mentioned the videos circulating of people in Lagos Island in Lagos, telling people that if they come out for the protests, there would be consequences. The IGP ignored. He didn’t respond”
Adamolekun further reflected on past protests, specifically the ENDSARS movement, which was marred by violence. She argued that the violence was not caused by the protesters but was instead instigated by politicians and government agencies.
“The government is very quick to talk about the violent ENSARS protest. ENDSARS was not violent. It is the politicians and government agencies that turned it violent. In Alausa, it was a Lagos state bus that brought thugs. There were pictures posted on social media and nothing has happened till today.”
Chioma Kalu
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