Protest: Respect rights of citizens – Rescue Movement tells Tinubu

A group under the aegis of the Rescue Movement for New Nigeria has advised President Bola Tinubu to respect the rights of citizens to peaceful protest.

The National Media Director and Publicity of the group, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, gave this advice on Sunday.

Olorunmagba stated that at an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, aka Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative, the group resolved to critically dissect the ongoing rift between the government and the Nigerian citizens, particularly the youths that are planning a peaceful nationwide protest and resolved as follows:

“That as the government of Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges facing our great nation, varying from hunger in the land, to highest unemployment the citizens of the country has ever experienced, insecurity ravaging the length and breadth of the nation, kidnapping like the nation has ever known, currency free fall in world market amongst others; we urge the authorities to prioritize addressing the pressing needs of the people rather than trying every means to suppress their fundamental rights to protest and express themselves.

“That in a democratic setting like ours, the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is sacrosanct. However, recent events have shown a disturbing trend of intimidation, harassment, and seemingly suppression rights, especially from agencies of government.”

The group called on the government to listen to the grievances of the people and address them through tangible actions.