The Labour Party has distanced itself from a planned nationwide protest, stating that it is a law-abiding political party that does not engage in activities that could destabilise the country.
In a statement on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, denied any involvement in the protest and refuted claims made by President’s media aide Bayo Onanuga.
News About Nigeria reports that the party leadership has also taken note of a misleading tweet from Onanuga, which incorrectly linked the Labour Party, its national leader Peter Obi, and other notable figures to the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest.
The Labour party further states, “We say that there is no truth in that and the tweet is just the author’s figment of imagination.
“Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has on several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. We are not known as a lawless group as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election. It is, therefore, delusional for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest. Labour Party, Peter Obi and our supporters are not planning any protests.
“However, peaceful protests all over the world are initiated and executed by the people and not by the opposition. No opposition has any control over protests. Popular protests such as in Kenya, Egypt and several other places were a direct registration of the people’s frustration against the government. The opposition has the right to protest and it is within their constitutional right.
“It is therefore puerile for the government or anyone for that matter to begin to look for who to blame for the bad governance that is being witnessed in Nigeria today. Nigeria can still get it right if the right policies are initiated. We also advise that some aides of the presidency must be cautioned to avoid incendiary pronouncements capable of combusting the nation, all in the name of playing politics.”
