As the countdown to the proposed national protests get nearer, a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Oyo State, Dr Kazeem Abidikugu has described the proposed national protests against bad governance as one of the essential ingredients of democracy, warning however that the protesters should refrain from destruction of public facilities and properties.
Abidikugu who was a PDP House of Representatives Aspirant in the build up to the 2023 general election said the protest is aiming at putting the govt on its feat and sign that things are not auguring well with the masses of Nigeria.
He however warned that the organisers and participants in the protest should learn from the past mistakes and ensure that hoodlums are not allowed to hijack the protest and start destroying public facilities.
In a statement he issued and personally signed on Monday, Abidikugu who is a United Kingdom based Psychiatric Consultant said in a democratic Nation, the right to freedom of expression which could come through peaceful protests, involves the exercise of numerous fundamental human rights, and it is essential for securing all human rights, which the citizens should not be denied off by any person in power.
He said the protest is a way of drawing government’s attention to the fact that things are not auguring well with the masses
According to him, “People have a right to protest peacefully, and the governments have a duty to respect, facilitate and protect this right. This means they shouldn’t interfere with protests, unless there is a legitimate threat to the safety and rights of others.
“If Police or the military try to stop or limit a protest, that intervention must be proportionate and necessary, or in other words, must do more good than harm and must be the least rights restricting option.
“Authorities should instead find ways to make these spaces safer, by communicating with those organizing the protest and providing services like traffic management and access to first-aid services.
“However, in many cases, intervention from state authorities is what causes otherwise peaceful protest to turn to violence.
“I therefore urge the government and most especially the security agencies to please guarantee and maintain peaceful protest devoid of bloodshed and brutality.
“Also I implore the protesters to be calm and do not destroy or loot Innocent Citizens’ or government properties because where their rights end, other people’s rights start. In a democracy you don’t force people to join protests and protesters should not inhibit peaceful movement of Nigerians. The protesters should abide by the rule of peaceful engagement”.