The Presidency has slammed Atiku Abubakar, telling the former Vice President to stop diminishing his status and tweeting the absurd.
Atiku in a post on X on Tuesday night warned security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists masquerading as protesters.
“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,” Atiku wrote.
“The constitutional right to engage in 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.”
Reacting, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga lambasted Atiku, warning him to stop tweeting the absurd.
“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar tweeted the absurd, warning security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists who masqueraded as protesters,” Onanuga wrote on X.
“As a statesman, his warning ought to have been issued 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 and even-handed and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters.
“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.”
Onanuga explained that Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and freedom of expression are not absolute rights.
He said this is because they can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, safety, law and order.
According to him, the Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely.
He added that they, however, reinforced their constitutional duty when they said they can not sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.
“The Service Chiefs, officers, and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country,” Onanuga said.
“As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests,’ Alhaji Atiku wants the sinister protests to continue despite the street’s red signals.
“A tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and citizens’ investments is unexpected from a former vice president of Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed and put the interest of Nigeria’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection on the streets.
“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to adopt a more nationalistic approach that transcends personal interests and focuses on the greater good of our nation,” Onanuga stated.
“He should take a cue 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 a nationalistic temperament, as displayed by opposition figures such as Rishi Sunak, the immediate past Prime Minister of the UK, is expected of Alhaji Atiku.
“If Alhaji Atiku had followed this approach, he would have given hope for a united front against the destructive protests,” Onanuga added.
