FG CLAMPED DOWN ON ‘ALL EYES ON THE JUDICIARY’ PROTESTERS IN ABUJA
On Sunday, a noteworthy incident unfolded in Abuja as clashes erupted between ‘All Eyes On The Judiciary’ protesters and the Abuja Police.
The demonstrators, reportedly supporters of various presidential candidates from the recently concluded elections, had planned a rally to voice concerns regarding the fairness of election petitions and their implications for democracy. However, the rally took an unexpected turn, prompting questions about the government’s response.
This protest held great significance, aiming to call for an impartial stance from the Judiciary in the election petition cases against President Bola Tinubu. These cases had garnered attention due to the impending judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT). The Tribunal was examining complaints lodged by Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar from the PDP regarding Tinubu’s victory.
In the lead-up to the disrupted rally, President Tinubu’s government had ordered the removal of ‘All Eyes on the Judiciary’ billboards positioned across Nigeria, which were intended to draw the Tribunal’s attention. Despite this, citizens in Abuja persisted and organized the rally under the umbrella of the Coalition of Support Groups (CSG), taking extensive security measures.
Reports indicate that the protest occurred amid heightened security presence at the rally site. The increased security measures had been put in place following a government alert the previous night regarding the event. By 2:30 pm, a small group of individuals was noticed near the original event venue, City Gate. However, due to a change in venue, the rally eventually took place under the bridge in Area 1, with a limited number of protesters assembling.
Unfortunately, the police interject, resulting in the disruption of the rally. This led to difficulties for TV stations AIT and Silverbird in covering the event due to the tense atmosphere. The rally didn’t unfold as intended, and the leader of the Support Groups later urged participants to disperse.
Alleged reports say that a fatality occurred as a result of police action, and five individuals were apprehended by law enforcement. This incident has prompted widespread questioning of the government’s decision to halt a peaceful protest, a right constitutionally granted to citizens.
Critics have drawn parallels with past instances, such as Asari Dokubo’s march in Abuja, raising concerns about unequal treatment when it comes to expressing opinions. This situation has sparked discussions about the balance between citizens’ rights and the power wielded by the government. It underscores the ongoing dialogue about how to uphold democratic values while ensuring public safety and order.