Aisha Yesufu slams Gov Alex Otti over permission for populist protest

A renowned female human rights activist in Nigeria, Comrade Aisha Yesufu, has slammed Governor Alex Otti of Abia State over the governor’s recommendation that people should get approval from the security operatives before embarking on mass protest.

Aisha Yesufu enlightened Gov Otti that “citizens do not need approval from security agencies to protest. What they need to do is notify the security agencies 48 hours before the protest so that the security agencies will have adequate time to prepare and protect the protesters.”

She added: “Secondly, your citizens in Abia State coming out to protest means they believe in you and want to air their grievances to you and what you should do like Mr Peter Obi @PeterObi standing beside you said is to meet with them and dialogue with them.

“Protesters do not cause harm. It is security agencies used by Governors or Presidents that cause harm and organize thugs to attack protesters and attack properties.”

Aisha Yesufu, Gov Alex Otti of Abia State and Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

Aisha in a correspondence to Governor Otti, declared: @AishaYesufu
“Dear Alex Otti @alexottiofr

“Citizens do not need approval from security agencies to protest. What they need to do is notify the security agencies 48 hours before the protest so that the security agencies will have adequate time to prepare and protect the protesters.

“Secondly, your citizens in Abia State coming out to protest means they believe in you and want to air their grievances to you and what you should do like Mr Peter Obi @PeterObi standing beside you said is to meet with them and dialogue with them.

“Protesters do not cause harm. It is security agencies used by Governors or Presidents that cause harm and organize thugs to attack protesters and attack properties.

“If you don’t behave like @jidesanwoolu of Lagos State in 2020 and call in security agencies to attack peaceful protesters, there wouldn’t be any harming happening.

“My advice to you would be

1) As Chief Security Officer of your state, ask all security agencies to ensure protection of the protesters

2) Meet with the protesters, get their demands and then ask all to proffer solutions.

3) The things that are in your power to solve, take responsibility and give timeline of what you will do and when. The things for FG headed by the illegitimate president, collect and pass onto them there.

4) Keep working for your people as you have always done but don’t stifle their voices. Protest is opportunity for you to hear what your aggrieved citizens feel and not what your aides or supporters want you to hear.

5) When you solve the problems of your aggrieved citizens, you are the one that will still shine and take the spotlight.”