A civil society organisation, CSO, under the aegis of Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has warned security agencies in the country against intimidating and arresting protesters expressing their civic rights over the removal of “All Eyes on Judiciary” billboards by the government.
Leader of the group, Barrister Ifeanyi Nrialike, while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday as a result of the arrest and intimidation of some protesters early this week, said the constitution of Nigeria allows citizens to express their feelings, wondering how the protesters could be intimidated if there’s nothing to hide.
Nrialike insisted that the judiciary should get the required attention to enable it deliver the right judgement and recalled that a senior member of the Kano election panel has already cried out over attempts to bribe her.
He maintained that since there was no state of emergency in Nigeria, the holding of peaceful rallies should be allowed.
“It is constitutional for you to have your rally and everybody has a right to hold rally, there is nothing wrong with ‘All eyes on the Judiciary’
“If you don’t have a skeleton in your cupboard, you don’t have reason to fear ‘All eyes on the Judiciary’ slogan, there is no day nobody will not think about what will come out of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT).
According to Nrialike, “If you stop people from protesting, you are telling people to go and take up arms. The security agencies should rather focus on criminals and terrorists instead of harassing innocent citizens expressing their civic rights.”
He recalled that in 2003, former President Muhammadu Buhari was allowed to hold a rally when there were petitions in court over the election then.
It, therefore, resolved to stage a peaceful protest in Abuja calling on the judiciary to deliver it’s judgment in the interest of the country on August 26, 2023.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
