Peaceful Protest Not Same as Incitement to Revolution – Presidency

Pat Stevens & NAN/

The Presidency today formally reacted to tomorrow’s planned protest march by the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, tagged, “revolution”.

In a statement posted on social media by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency states:

“Following calls circulating on social and digital media, an organisation that calls itself the “Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria” plans a “revolution” march tomorrow, Monday 5th August, with the aim of bringing “regime change” in Nigeria without recourse to a nationwide vote.

“The President of Nigeria and his administration respect and uphold the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest and civil campaign– whether to raise awareness on issues, and even oppose the government. It is the inalienable right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do so.

“There is, however, a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.

“The organisation championing this planned action is not fronted by any serious public faces. We call on the sponsors and organisers to have the decency to come forward and make their identity known – out of respect to all Nigerians – so that Nigerians can be fully aware in whose name this “revolution” is being proposed and who the beneficiaries may be.

“Less than six months ago, Nigeria held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. Both contests were won resoundingly by President Muhammadu Buhari and his All-Progressives Congress party. The campaign was observed, and results were confirmed by international election monitoring groups and observers. The result was even contested by the losing presidential candidate and his party in Court.

“The ballot box is the only constitutional means of changing government and a president in Nigeria. The days of coups and revolutions are over.

“Those making the “revolution’’ call hide behind the veil of social media modernity. But without revealing the identity of their sponsors this shadowy campaign is no better, and no more democratic, than the days of old.

‘The President calls on all those who seek to use and hide behind everyday citizens to attain power through undemocratic and violent means, which has been alluded, to come out clearly and be identified. They should lead their march in person. Only then will they begin to have the right to call themselves leaders before the people of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services has said that rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the February 2019 election, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, was arrested “for threatening public safety, peaceful co-existence and social harmony in the country.”

The agency called on Nigerians to disregard “threat of revolution” issued by Sowore.

The security agency also confirmed that Sowore, who was to lead a group known as ‘Revolution Now’ on a protest slated for Monday, August 5, was in the its custody.

The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Mr. Peter Afunanya, stated this while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, the DSS is charged with the responsibility of managing, curtailing, containing and eliminating threats against national security.

“These threats include threats of sabotage, threats of subversion, threat of terrorism and, of course, ethnic agitations, separatist agitations, economic sabotage and others.

“If we are operating as a responsible security organisation and someone is calling for revolution in Nigeria, we must understand the meaning of revolution.

“Primarily, it means a revolt, it means insurrection, it means insurgency, it means forceful takeover of government and we are operating democratic system in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic and cannot suddenly be made one. So, the DSS will not just sit by and watch individuals or groups wanting to rise and threaten the peace and unity of the country,” he said.

He said that there was apprehension and anxiety among citizens as to what would happen next because of the threat.

“We want to use this opportunity to assure law-abiding Nigerians and the world in general that come August 5, Nigeria will remain peaceful and there will be no revolution.

“We want to also reiterate that the plot by some self-seeking individuals and group to cause a breakdown of law and order, cause disaffection, disrupt social and economic services will not be tolerated,” he said.

Afunanya said government had been elected democratically, adding that there would not be any forceful takeover by any individual or group.

The PRO said the DSS would work with other stakeholders to ensure that peace is maintained in the country.

He said that the service would do all it could within the law to discharge its responsibility to ensure peace and unity in Nigeria at all times.

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