The Presidency has accused supporters of Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, of planning nationwide protests and warned that he should be held responsible for any resulting crisis.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Presidency alleged that the protest organizers were the same individuals who, instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, launched the destructive ENDSARS protest in October 2020. While ENDSARS initially began as a genuine youth protest against police brutality, Onanuga claimed that IPOB members hijacked the movement to further their own separatist agenda.
Two years after ENDSARS, many IPOB members reportedly joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, whom Onanuga described as a sympathizer of their cause. These supporters are now spreading hashtags such as ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024,’ which Onanuga called undemocratic and anarchistic.
Onanuga emphasized that these calls for protests are attempts to destabilize Nigeria, branding them as treasonous acts against the elected government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He claimed that the protest organizers are unwilling to wait for the next election in 2027 and are instead pushing for a civilian coup.
The Presidency identified a protest planner who allegedly operates an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja, and has been active on social media, encouraging people to join the protests and promoting Peter Obi. This individual and other prominent Obi supporters, including FS Yusuf and Professor Pat Utomi, have been accused of inciting unrest.
Onanuga also mentioned other figures involved in the protest plans, such as General Oluchi, who has been mobilizing Nigerians with language linked to IPOB and Peter Obi’s supporters, and Brother Bernard, known for his controversial views on Nigeria’s economic policies.
In light of these allegations, the Presidency called on security agents to investigate these individuals. The government urged Nigerian citizens to consider its efforts to address the cost of living crisis, highlighting measures such as increasing the minimum wage, disbursing loans to students, and distributing food palliatives. The Presidency argued that despite economic challenges, democratic citizens should wait for the next election to seek leadership changes rather than resorting to protests.
President Tinubu, who has a four-year mandate, is committed to his agenda, and those calling for protests should wait until the 2027 election to support their preferred candidate, the Presidency concluded.
