Atiku Abubakar Condemns Use of Violence Against Peaceful Protesters in Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has condemned the reported use of live ammunition by security forces against peaceful protesters in Nigeria.

The country has been facing serious economic challenges, making it tough for many citizens to meet basic needs. In response, a few youths started protests in various parts of Nigeria like Abuja, Lagos, and Rivers, calling for an end to hunger and poor governance.

Tragically, on Saturday, there were reports of masked men opening fire on protesters and journalists at the Mashood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

In a statement, Atiku described these acts as intolerable and reminiscent of a time when military dictatorship ruled the nation. He strongly condemned using live bullets against citizens who were simply protesting against bad governance in Kano and Abuja.

He stated, ‘Security forces opening fire on innocent protesters only leads to more chaos and fear.’ He mentioned that it is crucial for the government and security agencies to provide a safe environment for citizens to express their rights to protest.

Atiku urged the international community to monitor the situation in Nigeria closely and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. He asked President Tinubu to show true leadership by promptly addressing the issues raised by the protesters.

He also encouraged protesters to remain peaceful and not engage in violence or looting, stressing that those who do harm the legitimacy of the protests and should be dealt with according to the law.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and other leaders, including Peter Obi, are advocating for meaningful dialogue between the government and protest leaders. They stress that listening to the citizens is vital for progress and stability in the country.