Posted by The recent attack on Service Chiefs and military Commanders by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over alleged use of fatal force on demonstrators has been condemned by the Eastern Movement for Sustenance of Democracy.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Barr. Aroh Kingsley Ikenna, the group’s national secretary, the group voiced its concerns about what it perceived as Atiku’s apparent endorsement of violence and vandalism.
The constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly does not, as pointed out by Barr. Aroh, who denounced the criminal hijacking of the intended demonstration, extend in any manner to the right to intimidate, steal from, or damage private or public property.
Also, Atiku does not have the authority to intimidate the people whose job it is to protect Nigeria and its citizens according to the constitution. In fact, it’s the same as giving the crooks your full backing.
Amazingly, someone is insisting that the protests in Kaduna, Kano, and elsewhere are peaceful, despite the widespread bloodshed and devastation. In this instance, the individual’s motivations and aspirations are highly intriguing.
He remembered that the demonstrations in several northern Nigerian regions had descended into violence, resulting in the vandalization of both public and private property.
Reports indicate that security personnel had to resort to tear gas and, in rare cases, deadly force, in order to reestablish order when protestors assaulted them.
In a post on his X account, the former Vice President issued a warning that anybody who use deadly force against protestors will face consequences even after they leave government service. Atiku said that the responsibility for the demonstrators’ safety should lie with the security forces.
“Those who authorize 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,” he warned the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the senior brass and commanders in the field.
The right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Constitution is upheld by both the legislative and judicial branches.
People expressing their right to peaceful protest must be guaranteed a safe and secure atmosphere by the government and security authorities. But they said Atiku was unfair to the other folks who weren’t protesting by ignoring them.
According to Barr. Aroh, “the government is equally obligated to protect other citizens against the protesters” when their acts pose a threat to other residents. The old adage goes something like, “My rights begin where yours end.”
In Chapter four of the Constitution, he enumerated the fundamental rights, which include, among other things, the right to life, a fair hearing, freedom of speech, the right to peaceful assembly and association, and the freedom to roam about.
According to him, the government has the right to limit certain freedoms in a democratic society, such as privacy, thought, conscience, expression, press, peaceful assembly, and movement, “in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality, public health; or
“In order to safeguard the liberty and autonomy of other individuals.
“During an emergency, the government has the authority to restrict and derogate the right to life and liberty, as provided for in Section 45(2).”