The Presidency has urged organizers of the planned hunger protest in August to respect the rights of Nigerians who choose not to participate.
Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, emphasized that while the right to protest is protected, so is the right to abstain from such activities.
In a statement on his X handle on Monday, Ogra highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the economic hardships faced by citizens, attributing some of the difficulties to global crises in addition to local policies.
“It is every Nigerian’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The Nigerian state also has a constitutional obligation to guarantee every constitutional right of every Nigerian, including free movement, safety, and security,” Ogra stated. He added, “It is also the right of hundreds of millions of Nigerians to choose not to join any protests as many have chosen – and all parties must respect this. However, asserting one’s rights should not lead to the denial of another’s.”
Ogra warned protest leaders to ensure they have control over the actions of those they mobilize, stressing the importance of condemning any calls for violence or destruction. “If you claim you want to have a peaceful demonstration yet have allowed some actively involved in your protest to use your platform to mobilize people publicly in the name of causing destruction and chaos, you are also responsible for whatever chaos they cause,” he said.
He questioned whether protest leaders and participants were fully aware of the plans and intentions behind the mobilization, urging them to dissociate from any elements promoting violence.
Ogra further asserted that the Tinubu administration is dedicated to tackling the country’s challenges. “President Bola Tinubu and the entire Tinubu-Shettima administration are aware of the pains Nigerians are facing due to global economic shocks and local policies that have been put in place to secure a prosperous future for Nigeria. Mr. President listens—just as he has been listening since Day 1 of his presidency. He has shown a willingness, never seen at this level before, to return to the drawing board where policies may have been unpopular.”
He noted positive developments in the economy, citing reduced inflation rates, increased disposable income through initiatives like the student loans scheme, and the P-CNG Initiative, which has lowered commercial transportation costs.
On the security front, Ogra highlighted significant progress, including the reduction of internal insurrections and kidnappings, and the liberation of over 5,000 Nigerians. “Over 11,000 terrorists and insurgents have been either neutralized or captured. Our tactical operations will persist until Nigeria is entirely safe,” he added.
Ogra concluded by affirming President Tinubu’s resolve to stabilize the economy and ensure a secure future for all Nigerians, stating that the President remains focused on his job and will not be swayed by distractions.
