Labor Party’s Peter Obi, Alex Otti Express Conflicting Opinions On Planned Nationwide Protest

Labour Party's Peter Obi, who contested against President Tinubu in the 2023 presidential elections, shared his support for the planned nationwide protest against Nigeria's economic problems, while Abia State Governor Alex Otti urged for an open dialogue with the government.

Otti, who was the Labor Party's only governor, expressed his concern over the protest, saying these events can quickly turn violent, saying protest organizers should not opt for this option to address the economic condition of the country.

Comments from both politicians came after several Nigerians announced they would go on a nationwide protest from Aug. 1 to 10.

Obi said the planned protest was a response to hunger and hopelessness among Nigerians. He made this comment during a visit to Governor Otti's home. The governor's spokesperson Ukoha Njoku shared the details of their discussion on Sunday.

"On the issue of protest, within the Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed. All I plead for is for those who are protesting to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law," Obi said, Premium Times reported.

"Everybody knows that things are difficult and I always say that when they talk about the sponsors of protest, the sponsors are very simple, it is hunger, it is hopelessness among the youths. So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our governor (Otti) for doing so. It is critical and important."

The former governor of Anambra State further suggested that security agencies should manage the protest legally rather than trying to stop it. He emphasized that handling the situation should be done within the law and not be overly forceful.

He also called on the federal government to talk with the protesters to address their issues. Obi pointed out that protests were a global right, and stressed on the importance of listening to and engaging with protesters.

The governor, on the other hand, expressed concern that the planned protest might be taken over by troublemakers and lead to violence.

He questioned who could guarantee that the protest would stay within legal boundaries, while adding that there have been cases where such events were hijacked in the past. He also pointed out that the law requires protesters to inform and get approval from security agencies, especially the police, before going ahead with the protest.