APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged former VP Atiku Abubakar to lead the August 1 nationwide protest, dismissing it as politically motivated. Basiru defended the Tinubu administration’s handling of economic issues and emphasized that the APC supports lawful dissent but rejects calls for anarchy.
In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), publicly challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to lead the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1. This statement comes amid Atiku’s outspoken criticism of the Tinubu administration's attempts to disrupt the demonstration.
Basiru argued that the planned protest, which Atiku and other critics have framed as a stand against poor governance, is driven by political motives. He dismissed the protest’s demands as primarily political, including calls to overhaul the 1999 Constitution and abolish the Senate. Basiru emphasized that the APC and President Tinubu have not prevented anyone from expressing dissent, noting that freedom of speech and protest are fundamental to democracy.
“The administration is committed to addressing Nigeria's challenges,” Basiru stated. “Talk is cheap; if Atiku believes in the cause, he should lead the protest himself.” His comments reflect a broader attempt by the APC to downplay the protest’s significance and frame it as politically motivated rather than a response to genuine public grievances.
Atiku’s criticisms have focused on the economic hardships and governance issues currently plaguing Nigeria, suggesting that the protest reflects deep dissatisfaction with the government's policies, particularly in light of recent inflation and economic policies. Meanwhile, the APC's position seeks to undermine the protest’s credibility by attributing it to partisan opposition rather than genuine public concern.
As the protest date approaches, both sides continue to prepare for what is anticipated to be a highly charged demonstration.
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