Peaceful Protest Is A Legitimate Right of Citizens-Anya-Ndi-Igbo Tells FG

A socio-cultural organization, Anya-Ndi-Igbo, has called on the federal government to recognize peaceful protest as a right guaranteed to Nigerians by the country's constitution.

The group made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

 Titled, The Nigeria That Works For All, and signed by its Chairman, BoT, Elder Dr Uma Eleazu; President, Engr. Chris Okoye; Secretary, Okey Nwoachukwu and Ikechukwu Amaechi, Chairman, Media & Strategic Communications, the group noted in the statement that the country is at a crossroad marked by palpable fear across the nooks and crannies as highlighted in the ongoing countrywide protest.

It added that the fear and tension are also evident in the disconcerting panic in government circle over which there are plans of punitive actions against the protesters. Rather than such reactions, the group counseled the federal government to recognize the protest as a legitimate right of the people to express their frustration over how they are affected by the policies of the state.

The leaders it noted, should see the action as feedback mechanism from the people.

"Nigeria is at a crossroads and there is palpable fear in all the nooks and crannies of the country. The anxiety has been heightened by the proposed country-wide protest tagged #EndBadGovernance, scheduled to run from August 1 to 10, 2024.

"More disconcerting is the seeming panic in government circles and threats of punitive action against the would-be protesters. To be sure, the act of protest is legitimate and a veritable feedback mechanism in a democracy, which affords the citizens the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with government policies and actions," the group noted.

It added that aggrieved citizens are able to publicly ventilate their grievances through peaceful protests which those in power must respect rather than villify.

"Through peaceful protests, aggrieved citizens are able to publicly voice their concerns and challenge acts of injustice, and by so doing, not only participate actively but also deepen the democratic process."

Anya-Ndi-Igbo noted further that as a right that is enshrined both in both the International Human Rights instruments and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, both of which acknowledged peaceful protests as fundamental to the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens which are now being challenged by government's fiscal measures.

According to the group, there is now a need for restraint, as the citizens are inclined towards voicing frustration.

"So fundamental is the right to peaceful protest that it is enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since those in authority have acknowledged that the welfare and well-being of the citizens have been challenged by government’s fiscal measures, there is need for restraint in dealing with citizens who are voicing their frustrations. "

"Moreover, in a country where peace is historically tenuous, creating factions by fabricating accusations against individuals and nationalities is an illwind. We urge the security services to refrain from making bogus announcements of findings that suggest particular interests are fomenting trouble without providing evidence. Leadership is serious business; it should not be trivialize," it counseled.

Anya-Ndi-Igbo pointed out that by their nature, peaceful protests are nonviolent unless taken over by hudlooms, a fact that government must recognize as imposing in it the mandate to forestall.

It therefore urged the government to consider listening to wise counsel in order not to further aggravate the situation.

"Rather than threatening to clamp down on beleaguered citizens who are only clamouring for a Nigeria where life is meaningful, the President and Commander-in-Chief should address citizens on the actual state of the nation and what the government is doing to address the perversive anomie.

"The detribalized pressure group, the Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku,GCON; whose credibility and patriotism are not in doubt, should be nominated to mediate between the Government and the groups of aggrieved Nigerians with a view to proffering workable and implementable solutions to the current crisis.

"If all entreaties fail and the planned protests must go on, then the security of the protesters and the sanctity of the protest must be guaranteed by all stakeholders, especially the security operatives.Anya-Ndi-Igbo believes in a Nigeria that works for all. Good governance should be a given and not something tonfight for. Good governance is achievable," the group oncluded