The Labour Party (LP) says its supporters are not behind a planned nationwide protest against hunger. On Saturday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, alleged that supporters of LP and Peter Obi are organising the protest.
Onanuga also claimed that the promoters of the protest are the same individuals who “hijacked” the #ENDSARS protest of 2020.
In a statement, Obiora Ifoh, LP spokesperson, said “there is no truth” in Onanuga’s claim, adding that it is the “figment of his imagination”.
“Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has on several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times,” the statement reads.
“We are not known as a lawless group as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election. It is, therefore, delusional for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest.
“Labour Party, Peter Obi and our supporters are not planning any protests.”
The opposition party said while its supporters are not organising any nationwide demonstration, protest is the right of every citizen.
“However, peaceful protests all over the world are initiated and executed by the people and not by the opposition,” LP said.
“No opposition has any control over protests. Popular protests such as in Kenya, Egypt and several other places were a direct registration of the people’s frustration against the government.
“The people have the right to protest and it is within their constitutional right.
“It is, therefore, puerile for the government or anyone for that matter to begin to look for who to blame for the bad governance that is being witnessed in Nigeria today.
“Nigeria can still get it right if the right policies are initiated.”
The party said presidential aides should be cautioned against making “incendiary pronouncements capable of combusting the nation”.
