The 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has affirmed that the country is going through difficult times, hence citizens have the right to demand what they want in peaceful, lawful and organised manner.
Speaking at International Convention Centre Awka during the installation of Prof AU Nonyelu as District Governor of the Rotary Club International, District 9142, Mr Obi said Nigerian youths should be allowed to protest in demanding their priorities and should not be restrained.
“As I always say, I don’t dictate the youths what they do. They know their priorities and they have right to demand their priorities; and should not be directed by anybody because it’s what affects them, affects their lives. So whatever they do, should be on their own resilience.
“The country is going through difficult times, the citizens have the right to in peaceful, lawful, organised manner demand what they want.
“Political leaders should make sacrifices to ensure that we get it right. We cannot continue the way we are going today. It is unacceptable. It is time of sacrifice, it is time for government to sit down and listen to the people.
“Governance must be demand-driven. What are the people looking for? They want food, security, basic things in life and want to move around. That’s what leadership is all about. You can’t move around now, they are insecure, the roads are bad, people are hungry, can’t access healthcare and good education.
“These are basic needs the society should enjoy. Hence, we need ethical leaders with conscience and compassion who will care for the society.
For 2025 Governorship hopeful on the platform of Labour Party, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, every single person in Nigeria is protesting hunger, bad leadership, insecurity and many more ills in the society.
“I have to say this that every single one of us is protesting for hunger, bad leadership, insecurity and many more ills that bedevil us.
“It is our right to protest. In doing so, be very civil. Law and order must be maintained if this must go on. I want to encourage everybody to be very mindful because property destroyed in time like this are not owned by politicians.
Everything singled in belong to single one of us. Be mindful not to destroy what we have created. It is a constitutional right to say we can do better as a country and if you don’t believe that Nigeria can be better than yesterday, then you don’t love Nigeria,” the business mogul.
On her part, the Director General of South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife said peaceful protest is part of democracy.
“Protest is part of democracy. Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. And its government that confer supremacy on the people through representation. But in exercising your rights, also remember that you don’t have to trample on another person’s rights.
“So peaceful protest is allowed in democracy. I just hope it doesn’t turn violent like vandalising people’s property or kill people. If that occurs, that’s when government will now move in to protect the people and government’s infrastructure. As for protest, everybody has the right to protest and there is nothing wrong in protest as long as it is peaceful”.
