HARDSHIP: PETER OBI BACKS NATIONWIDE PROTEST, URGES PROTESTERS TO SHUN VIOLENCE

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed his support on Sunday for the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, saying protest is allowed in the country’s constitution.

According to Obi, the Nigerian Constitution allows room for protest as it is the right of citizens.

The former Anambra state governor, however, warned protesters to shun violence, saying such demonstrations tagged #EndBadGovernance should be done within the confines of the law.

Obi, while speaking to journalists during a courtesy visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, identified hunger, and hopelessness among the youths as the sponsors of the protest, calling on the Nigerian authorities to engage and give a listing listening ear to the protesters.

“In Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed,” Obi said.

“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.

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

Furthermore, the LP presidential candidate in 2023 called on security agencies to provide cover for the protesters, urging them to operate within the ambit of the law.

“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.