In a recent development, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has faced backlash following his controversial statement regarding potential protests in Nigeria, as reported by Punch.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Olusegun’s comment, perceived by many as a threat, has brought controversies about the right to protest and the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
Olusegun posted on Tuesday via X that those who want to disrupt the country will face strong resistance, not from security agencies, but from the majority who support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This statement comes in the wake of calls for nationwide protests from August 1-10 against the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
President Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday, appealed to citizens to postpone the planned protests and give his administration more time to address their concerns.
However, Olusegun’s comment has been met with widespread criticism on social media.
Many users pointed out the clear hypocrisy, recalling that members of the current administration, including Olusegun himself, had participated in protests during previous governments.
One Twitter user noted that Olusegun was involved in protests during the Jonathan administration without facing threats, suggesting he no longer feels the pains of ordinary Nigerians now that he is part of the government.
Another user underlined the right to protest, stating that those who supported former President Goodluck Jonathan did not resist when Tinubu and others protested against Jonathan’s government in 2012.
The user argued that individuals should be allowed to express their displeasure against economic hardship without intimidation, stating that protest is a fundamental human right.
“I am sure D.O was on the street with other protesters during the Jonathan government and no one threatened them back then, But today he is dinning with government and do not longer feel the pains of ordinary Nigerians that they felt during Jonathan years. hypocrisy 2.0,” twitter user @cartermillz said.
“Those who gave mandate to GEJ didn’t resist Tinubu and co, when they protested against GEJ govt in 2012. Let the individuals willing to register their displeasure against the hardship, carry on without being intimidated. Protest is a fundamental human right,” @REALLUCAS20 said.
