By Damilare Adeleye
The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has thrown his weight behind the impending nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 to 10.
The former Anambra State Governor, who said the Nigerian Constitution allows room for protest as it is the right of citizens, however, warned against violence, saying such demonstrations should be done within the confines of the law.
Obi identified hunger, and hopelessness among the youths as the sponsors of the protest, calling on the Nigerian authorities to engage and give a listing listening ear to the protesters.
“In Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed,” Obi said this during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.
“All I plea for those who are protesting is to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.”
Acknowledging that things are difficult in the country, he said: “We all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our governor (Alex Otti) for doing so. It is important.”
The LP chieftain further argued that people do protest in his house, but did not identify who the people are to specify the manner of protest.
He called on security agencies to provide cover for the protesters, urging them to operate within the ambit of the law.
“What I will say to security agencies is that they manage the situation again within the law. We should not strive to be overbearing.
“There is nothing wrong (with protesting). Protest is allowed everywhere globally. I also say (that) people protest in my house. It is for us to listen to those who are protesting.
“Why are they protesting? Engage them, that is what governance is all about. You talk with them, there is nothing wrong in that,” he added.