The Attorney General Of Federation Should Not Keep Mum But Advice The Federal Government That TUface's Right To Protest Is Constitutionally Guaranteed - Vivienne Onukwufor Esq

Lying faced up on my bed due to the natural homemade concussions i had rubbed on my face to make it glow. My brain get recalling and resonating the words of the police banning the planned protest by TUface, Members of the CMC entertainment group headed by Cornel Udofia and the people of Nigeria With reckless abandon. Feeling peeved, I also recalled how the Former president Goodluck Jonathan received countless protest during his tenure as the president of Nigeria. Though some were politically motivated yet he knew that it  hardly needs elaboration that a distinguishing feature of any democracy is the space offered for legitimate dissent. One cherished and valuable aspect of political life in Nigeria is a tradition to express grievances through direct action or peaceful protest. It is their rights to air their grievances to see that their voice is heard in the relevant quarters.  President Muhammadu Buhari would not allow the citizens to be intimidated by the police as he knows that no permit is required for any peaceful protest and such protest is a fundamental right of the citizen of a nation.

All Nigeria Peoples Party v Inspector-General of Police (2008) 12 WRN 65 decided by the Court of Appeal on December 12, 2007. In that case the court upheld my submission that Nigerians have the fundamental right to stage rallies and protests without police permit.

The Court of Appeal decision and supreme court decision is another landmark decision in the country’s judicial history. Globally, public rallies and processions are part and parcel of democracy.

. I see no reason why the police who is supposed to protect the human rights of the people would condemn such harmless protest.  The Attorney General of the Federation is to use his power to advise the Federal Government not to appeal against the decision to the Supreme Court. Instead, the Federal Government should start a re-training of the Police and other law enforcement agents on managing public rallies and processions, and also give them a code of conduct that meets the international standard on managing public rallies and processions.

 They should be seen in meetings planning on how to beef up security to protect the citizens of Nigeria knowing fully well that some desperadoes in the form of politicians and hoodlums would always find their ways into the protest to destabilize the real apolitical protest intended by 2Face, CMC entertainment groups and the people of Nigeria.

As for those who are angered by this protest for reasons best known to you. I want you to know that this is not about Buhari, Buhari may be mean but not as mean as those working *with him* who want him down.

Please share until this gets to the appropriate quarters.