Nationwide Protest: Presidency Dares Peter Obi

The Presidency has dared Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to lead the protest he endorsed on Sunday.

Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman, issued the challenge after Obi mentioned during a visit to Abia Governor Alex Otti that there was nothing wrong if Nigerians wanted to protest to express their grievances.

Obi stated, “Protest is allowed within the Nigerian Constitution. All I ask is that those protesting do so within the law and in a civil manner, demonstrating that we live by the law.

“Everyone knows times are tough, and I always say the sponsors of protests are simple: it’s hunger, it’s the hopelessness among youths. We all need to listen to what Nigerians are going through, and I thank our Governor (Otti) for doing so. It’s critical and important.”

He added, “Security agencies should manage the situation lawfully. We should not be overbearing. It should be handled within the law.”

“Protest is a global right. People protest at my house, and it’s our duty to listen to their reasons and engage with them. That’s what governance is about—dialogue and deliberation.”

Obi also noted, “When I was governor, people protested, and we kept engaging with them.”

In response, Onanuga, who had previously accused Obi and his supporters of being behind the upcoming nationwide protest, challenged him to follow the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu, who led protests as opposition leaders, instead of orchestrating from behind the scenes.

Onanuga posted on his X handle, “Now that Peter Obi has endorsed the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past: openly lead the protesters. That is what leadership is about, not being a puppeteer behind the scenes. He should be at the forefront.”