You have right to protest, but not an opportunity for violence, Akpabio tells youths

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Nigerians have the right to protest but should not abuse it as an opportunity to cause violence.

Akpabio spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the State House while reacting to the planned nationwide protest against hunger slated for August 1-10.

He said those behind the protest are faceless and “very amorphous”.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on those who are attempting to foment trouble; that you have a right to protest. It is your fundamental right. It is there in the constitution,” Akpabio said.

“But you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless.”

The senate president said the current economic challenges facing Nigerians predate President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which, he noted, has only been in power for a year.

“It is the outcome of years of insecurity. Many people could not go to farms for almost 10 years and know that, and the president has risen to the occasion,” he said.

“Every food item that is coming in now will come in without any restriction; bring in food because Nigerians need to eat. And then, at the same time, most things are coming in with a lot of waivers.

“So, for me, I’m excited that yes, indeed, the government is doing what it should. And we, the leaders in the National Assembly, are touching our various constituencies.”