Presidency: Buhari not against peaceful protests, as President arrives Sunday

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not against peaceful protests, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said on Saturday.

Akande said this in a reaction to the outrage trailing the alleged ban on the “anti-government” protest planned by Afro-Pop artiste, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface.

The vice president’s spokesman stated that Buhari’s administration would not prevent citizens from expressing themselves in peaceful protests as it was their fundamental right.

“This administration will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests, it’s a fundamental right of the people,” Akande wrote.

Tuface had last week called for the support of his fans and colleagues, via his social media platforms, to join his march against the economic downturn. The protest is slated for tomorrow.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement on Friday said the police had credible intelligence reports that other interest groups were also planning a counter protest same days at the same places and that, this might lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Meanwhile, a source in the Presidency confirmed that barring any change of schedule, President Buhari would arrive Abuja Sunday from his ten-day vacation in London.

President Buhari had on January 19 departed for the United Kingdom on “a short leave” during which he was expected to undergo a medical check-up.