Abia Governor Otti Opposes Peter Obi On Planned Nationwide Protest

Governor Alex Otti opposes Peter Obi’s endorsement of a nationwide protest, emphasizing the illegality of protesting without police approval.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has taken a stance that diverges from that of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, regarding a planned nationwide protest.

A group of youths is organizing a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10 to address the escalating cost of living and economic hardship.

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Earlier, this online media platform reported that Peter Obi, during a visit to Governor Otti at his home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, endorsed the protest. The former Governor of Anambra State highlighted that it is the constitutional right of citizens to protest, attributing the agitation to widespread hunger and hopelessness. He stressed the importance of conducting the protest within the bounds of the law.

Conversely, Otti, in an interview with Channels TV, acknowledged the country’s difficulties but pointed out that the governance issues causing the current discontent began under previous administrations. He emphasized that protesting without police approval is illegal.

He said: “It would be very unfair to say things are not difficult now. Things are very difficult, that is true, but how do you solve the problem? The problem we find ourselves in the country today is economic. We are actually paying the price for bad governance that didn’t start today.

“First of all, for you to organise a protest, the law requires that you get approval from security forces, particularly the police. Somebody should take responsibility for getting that approval.

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“So, if you don’t have the approval, it will be against the law to go out on the streets and protest. My final word is that people should think about the implications of pouring out on the streets, restricting the movement of other people and inflicting more hardship.

“For people in Abia, my advice is that people should not pour out on the street, because it may be more hurtful than the reason for the protest people are calling for.”

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