The Nigeria’s presidency has dared former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi to lead protesters who are preparing for August 1 nationwide protest against hardship
Current president, Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, had led protests at different times in the country.
In 2012 notably, they led ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest against fuel subsidy removal during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, galvanising Nigerians until the president rescinded the decision.
Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023 during his inauguration.
However, the protest, which organisers said is to draw the government’s attention to hunger, is being held despite pleas from the government for patience.
None of the leaders of political parties or former presidential candidates has indicated interest to lead the protests as of the time of going to press.
Even though various groups have endorsed the protest while some said protests would worsen the already difficult situation, Obi on his part called for peaceful protests.
Speaking on Sunday during a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Obi urged protesters to be peaceful pointing out that protest is a legitimate right of citizens in a democracy.
He urged the security agencies to protect the protesters and not to act in a way that will incite the protesters into violence.
The presidency, while reacting to Obi’s comment, challenged him to lead the line since he has endorsed the protests.
Taking to his X/Twitter page, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said, “Now that Peter Obi has come out to endorse the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past, by coming out openly to lead the protesters.”
Onanuga who’s yet to tender an apology to earlier statement where he alleged Obi was behind the August protests added, “That is what leadership is about. Not playing the master puppeteer behind the scene.
“He should be in the forefront of the protest and help in curbing their possible excesses,” Onanuga who was Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria or NAN during the Muhammadu Buhari administration before being sacked added.
