Peaceful protests part of citizens’ rights in democracy — PDP Chieftain, Abidikugu 

As the countdown to the proposed national protests gets nearer, a Chieftain of the Peoples 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. 

He, therefore, warned the protesters to 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 feet and a sign that things are not auguring well with a good number of Nigerians,

He, however, warned that the organisers and participants in the protest should learn from past mistakes and ensure that hoodlums are not allowed to hijack the protest and start destroying public facilities.

In a statement he signed and issued on Monday, the 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.

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 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 the peaceful movement of Nigerians. The protesters should abide by the rule of peaceful engagement.”

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