The Presidency claimed that supporters of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, are behind a planned nationwide protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The government has tasked security agents to interrogate the “agents of destabilization” involved in the planned demonstration, urging Nigerians not to fall for their bait.
However, in a statement, Labour Party Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh denied any involvement by the party or its former presidential candidate in the planned protest.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed on his X handle, @aonanuga1956, that individuals who hijacked the 2020 ENDSARS protests are behind the planned demonstrations. They are spreading hashtags like ‘EndBadGovernance’ and ‘Tinubu Must Go.’
Onanuga described the masterminds as “anarchists” and “bad losers” who seek to destabilize Nigeria through a “civilian coup” instead of waiting for the 2027 elections. He stated, “Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.”
Onanuga warned that the protesters’ calls for “revolution” and “ending an elected government” amount to high treason. He added, “Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason.”
He also noted that a nameless internet radio station owner and a Labour Party chief are involved in the planned protests. “I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja. PTM’s profile image has someone holding the inscription ‘Certificate Forger Not My President,’ with a photo of Peter Obi as an inset,” he said.
Labour Party, in response, firmly denied any involvement in the protests. “Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has at several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. We are not known as a lawless group,” said Obiora Ifoh.
The Peter Obi Media Reach also dismissed the allegation, calling it “wild, wicked and baseless.” Spokesman Yunusa Tanko said, “These unsubstantiated allegations are being orchestrated to arrest Obi, limit his freedom and association and stop his propagation for good governance.”
Prof. Pat Utomi, also implicated by Onanuga, denied involvement, stating he had been in Washington DC and unaware of the planned protests until informed by a senior civil servant. Utomi wrote, “I would like Mr. Onanuga to present any evidence to justify his comment.”
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Nasarawa State Government urged Nigerians to shun the planned protests. NOA Director in Bauchi State, Theresa Omaga, advised, “While Nigerians have a constitutional right for peaceful protest, experience had thought that it does not always end as intended, hence the need for a rethink.”
The Congress of Nigeria Gospel Ministers Incorporated declared that they would not participate in the protests. National President, His Eminence, Most Rev Prof. Philip Akam, said, “Members of our churches should not participate and we should go back to our various congregations and tell them that we are not part of this type of protest.”
Lastly, the Tinubu/Shetima Foundation appealed for patience, warning that the protests could be hijacked by those who do not mean well for the country. Chairman Alhaji Hammanjulde Yahaya urged, “Those planning protest should sheathe their swords. They may have good intention but hoodlums could take it over and wreak havoc on every one of us.”
