Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to lead the proposed nationwide protest.
Basiru emphasized that the President Bola Tinubu administration has not hindered anyone’s right to protest or criticize the government. He stated, “As far as I am concerned, talk is very cheap. I expect Atiku Abubakar on the day of the protest to lead. Nobody has stopped somebody from protesting.”
Basiru noted that the APC and Tinubu administration have not arrested anyone for criticizing the government, showcasing the country’s democratic values. He added, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our party, the APC have not stopped anybody from protesting… That is what democracy is all about – heterogeneity of ideas.”
Basiru argued that the protest leaders’ demands are politically motivated, not focused on addressing bad governance. He highlighted their requests, including scrapping the 1999 constitution, abolishing the Senate, and increasing the minimum wage – an issue already addressed by the President.
By daring Atiku to lead the protest, Basiru has thrown down the gauntlet. Will Atiku accept the challenge, or will the protest fizzle out? Only time will tell.
