Peter Obi Backs Protest, Says Hunger, Hopelessness Are Sponsors

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential contender, has declared his support for the August 1 nationwide demonstration.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, July 28, on a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Obi stated that protests are permitted by the Nigerian Constitution since it is a fundamental right of citizens.

But he issued a warning against using violence, stating that these kinds of protests had to take place within the bounds of the law.

Obi called on the Nigerian authorities to intervene and lend the demonstrators a sympathetic ear, citing hunger and pessimism among the youths as the protest’s sponsors.

“In Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed. All I plea for those who are protesting is to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law. Everybody knows that things are difficult.

“I always say when they talk about the sponsors of the protest, I say the sponsors are very simple. Hunger, hopelessness amongst the youths so we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through”

“Acknowledging that things are difficult in the country, he said: “We all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our governor (Alex Otti) for doing so. It is important.”

The leader of the LP claimed that protests do occur in his home, but he did not say who the protestors were or how they would manifest themselves. He urged security services to operate within the bounds of the law and called on them to cover the demonstrators.

“What I will say to security agencies is that they manage the situation again within the law. We should not strive to be overbearing. There is nothing wrong (with protesting). Protest is allowed everywhere globally. I also say (that) people protest in my house. It is for us to listen to those who are protesting. Why are they protesting? Engage them, that is what governance is all about. You talk with them, there is nothing wrong in that,” he added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli