He said the clampdown by security agents on protests in
the country is worrisome and a clear violation of Section 36 of the
Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental rights of Nigerian people to
freedom of expression and the right to protest against policies of the
government considered inimical to their interests.
A constitutional lawyer, Kayode Ajulo has told President
Muhammadu Buhari not to take the country back to the dark days of military rule
with the criminalisation of peaceful protests and shrinking of the civic and
media space.
He said the clampdown by security agents on protests in
the country is worrisome and a clear violation of Section 36 of the
Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental rights of Nigerian people to freedom of expression and
the right to protest against policies of the government considered inimical to
their interests.
Ajulo stated this on Thursday in Abuja
while speaking to SaharaReporters on the state of the
nation.
He said any attempt to criminalise protests and muzzle
freedom of expression would be resisted by Nigerians when pushed to the wall.
He said, "The criminalisation of civil space for
civil agitation and peaceful protest is not what is intended by our
constitution.
"Our laws are so clear on the freedom of expression
and we have a plethora of judgements and rulings that allow Nigerians to
protest against any government policies provided that it is peaceful.
"Remember that there was a time when the police
would be telling Nigerians that you can protest, you need a police permit. The
court has on several times come out to say no,
you do not need a police permit before you can protest.
"It is very wrong, particularly during a democratic
government. Even during the military government, Nigerians were allowed to
protest."
Ajulo explained that the open ground (Arcade) located in
front of the National Assembly building was constructed and designed for
Nigerians to accommodate protesters who may want to express their feelings
through protests and submit petitions to their representatives on policies of
the government.
He asked why security agents would continue to deny
peaceful protesters access to the National Assembly building to ventilate their
demands and anger against any government policies.
He added that police must guide and provide security for
protesters to avoid infiltration.
"In a situation that 50 or 30 people want to
protest, you will see 200 policemen beating the hell out of them. What for?
Unfortunately, these things are being heard and seen all over the world,
showing what Nigeria is turning to.
"I can tell you that it will get to a stage where
Nigerians will be pushed to the wall," he said.
Speaking on the security challenges in the country, Ajulo
blamed the situation on human rights violation, lopsided appointments,
injustice, and impunity on the part of the President and his cabinet members.
"We got into this mess through maladministration,
and violation of people's rights; when some people want to lord it over
you," Ajulo stated.
On the burning of offices of the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) and police stations in the South-East region by
gunmen, the constitutional lawyer charged the security agents to step up their
game and protect the lives and property of Nigerians in all parts of the
country.
Ajulo said, "The President needs to stand and the
policies of government need to remind and reassure people that they are part
and parcel of this country. Even our constitution is clear that nobody should
be discriminated against. Everybody has
equal rights and opportunities. A situation where society is based on justice,
equity, and rule of law, everything will work well."
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