Expressing his disapproval, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party, has strongly criticized the reported use of live bullets against the #EndBadGovernance demonstrators.
The harsh economic conditions in Nigeria have made it increasingly challenging for many citizens to meet their basic needs.
In reaction, a group of young people initiated protests starting on Thursday, which extended into Friday and Saturday, spanning across Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and other areas, demanding an end to hunger and the prevailing poor governance in the country.
Reports emerged on Saturday of masked individuals firing shots at protesters and journalists within the confines of the Mashood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
In a statement issued on the same day, Atiku described the incident as unacceptable, drawing parallels to the repressive tactics reminiscent of military rule.
He declared, “I wholeheartedly denounce the despicable act of resorting to live ammunition against citizens who are peacefully protesting against bad governance, as observed today in Kano and Abuja. This is absolutely unacceptable and evocative of the oppressive era of military dictatorship.
“It is imperative to remind the government and security forces of their primary responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment enabling citizens to exercise their right to protest without fear.
“When security forces resort to violence against innocent protesters, they only fuel tensions, turning peaceful demonstrations into chaos. I refuse to accept that instigating violence is the intention of our authorities.
“I call upon the global community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria and hold the country’s leadership and security forces accountable.”
The former Vice President urged President Tinubu to exhibit genuine leadership by promptly addressing and meeting the demands of the Nigerian populace.
He stated, “I reiterate my advice to protesters to continue exercising their right to peaceful protest and reject any form of violence.
“Individuals engaging in looting and vandalizing public and private property need to be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law. By participating in such activities, they undermine the legitimacy of the protests and play into the hands of those who oppose their right to demonstrate.”