Presidency, LP trade words over planned hardship protest

The protest which is gaining momentum on social media is set to take place across all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. It aims to address the current economic hardships.

In recent months, the prices of food and essential goods have surged, with Nigerians grappling with one of the nation’s most severe inflationary periods and an economic crisis triggered by the government’s dual policies of removing fuel subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates.

The Federal Government, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Police Force, and the House of Representatives, has issued warnings against the planned demonstration.

Today, the presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga accused the Labour Party and Obi of orchestrating the protest to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the country’s economic challenges.

“Don’t be deceived: the discontented individuals planning nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He should be held accountable for any unrest that results from this action,” Onanuga stated in a post on X.

He warned that the protest could resemble the ENDSARS demonstration in 2020, which began as a youth protest against police brutality but turned destructive when it was taken over by opportunistic elements.

Onanuga asserted that the economy is improving and inflation is declining. “There is no nation where citizens aren’t facing economic challenges and where the cost of living isn’t a pressing issue,” he stated.

He urged security forces to “investigate these agents of destabilization.”

Meanwhile, in response to Onanuga’s accusations, Labour Party spokesman Obiora Ifoh refuted , saying that “there is no truth to that claim, and that the tweet is simply the author’s imagination.”

Ifoh said, “The Labour Party is known for its peaceful approach and has consistently urged its followers to maintain peace. We are not a lawless organization, as demonstrated in the aftermath of the last general election.”

He noted that it is misguided to associate their supporters with the planned protest, asserting, “Labour Party, Peter Obi, and our supporters are not organizing any protests.”

He also noted that peaceful protests globally are driven by the people, not by political opposition.

“It is therefore naive for the government or anyone to seek scapegoats for the poor governance currently plaguing Nigeria,” Ifoh added.

“Nigeria can still achieve better outcomes if the right policies are implemented. We advise that some presidential aides be prudent in their statements to avoid incendiary comments that could ignite tensions in the nation while playing politics.”