A civil rights group, based in Nigeria, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has okayed the planned nationwide protest billed to commence in August 1st, saying the protesters have a fundamental right to protest as covered in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution.

In a statement issued by the Rivers State branch of the rights  group and signed by its interim chairman, Barrister Anayo Uwabuike, the CLO noted that the protest was informed by the failure of the Nigerian government put end the hunger and hardship which it plunged the country into following serial policy missteps and massive corruption among the ruling elites.

The full statement is reproduced below:

Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)

Rivers State Branch

Press Statement

THE RIGHT TO PROTEST IS SACROSANCT

• Position Of the Rivers State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) on the planned Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance.

The Civil Liberties Organisation, affirms that Governance is a social charter between the leaders and the people, with the leaders holding their position as a Trust to provide for the security and good governance and welfare of the people, and with power belonging to the people. In Nigeria this charter is codified in Chapter 11 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

Regrettably, this has not been the case in the past few years in Nigeria. Government has persisted in anti people policies that has plunged the greater majority of Nigerians into abject poverty and lack of adequate security with ever increasing rate of official corruption.

It is therefore in the exercise of their fundamental freedom to protest that the Nigerian people have given notice that beginning from August 1sth-10th, they intend to embark on a nationwide protest, to draw attention to the failure of government to tackle the rising cost of living, hunger and total economic decay and insecurity, as provided in Chapter 4 of the Constitution. The people intend to embark on a peaceful protest against BAD GOVERNANCE in Nigeria.

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) believes that the protest is justified in the circumstance. However we urge that the protest be totally peaceful and non violent, to avert a situation where hoodlums and miscreants might have cause to hijack the protest and cause mayhem.

The Civil Liberties Organisation equally tasks the Nigerian Police to be professional in relating and dealing with issues that might arise out of the protest and also to ensure the safety of the protesters. The National Human Rights Commission is equally challenged to ensure that the rights of the protesters are adequately protected and that the leaders of the protest are not witchhunted both during and after the protest.

Government must act within the bounds of civilized conduct and ensure that it gives a listening ear to the protesters as well as engaging in actions and policies thst will end the hunger, hardship and anguish in the land.

Signed
Barr. Anayo Peter Uwabuike
Chairman, Interim Management Committee
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
Rivers State.