Anti-Buhari protests: Osinbajo commends IGP

ACTING President Yemi Osinbajo has commended the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for the police’s handling of the anti-President Muhammadu’s protests with “professionalism and respect for the rights of citizens.”

According to a statement made available to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, Osinbajo expressed government’s commitment to explaining its policies to the people.

Signed by the acting President himself, the statement added: “We are committed to a continuous engagement with our people to explain government policies, receive advice and criticism.”

“Cabinet ministers have gone round 8 States so far holding town hall meetings, the most recent was yesterday in Ilorin. There will be more of such meetings in the other States that are yet to be visited.

“With complete focus on improving the economy every day, the recession will soon be history.”

But the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of interfering with the protests.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, said APC “guerrillas” of sabotaging people’s desire to express themselves.

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP said the APC in an unnecessary manner, used hired thugs against citizens’ peaceful protest demanding good governance and improvement of our battered economy.

It condemned the APC’s action “against Nigerians who were only airing their frustrations and expressing dissatisfaction on the current state of affairs in the country,” saying that it was in bad taste and symptomatic of Nigeria descending into anarchy.

The statement added: “For emphasis, freedom of speech, association and assembly are fundamental and constitutional rights of citizens of this country and the Police or any other security agency have no right or power to stop or interfere with lawful and peaceful gathering under any pretext nor is it necessary for anybody or group to organize a simultaneous counter protest.

“We therefore commend the Police and other security agencies for ensuring that the Pro-Nigeria Protest took place peacefully especially in other states.”

“The idea of APC and its cohorts pushing hoodlums out in the guise of ‘I Stand With Buhari’ to counter the “I Stand With Nigeria” Protest was cheap politics for selfish gains although it was only visible in Abuja where they could easily pay thugs to frustrate the Event.”

“It is ironic that the APC leaders and members that led series of protest and demonstration against the Government while they were in opposition have now turned around to prevent peaceful gathering, protest and free speech by Nigerian citizens against their government.”

The opposition saluted the courage of “who turned out in their numbers to demand for their rights in the face of intimidation and harassment by the APC and some security personnel.”