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Allow Peaceful Protest On May 29 – Prof. Udenta

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Prof. Udenta Udenta, the Founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy and Distinguished Fellow at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, issued a warning to security agencies on Thursday.

 

He cautioned them against obstructing any kind of protest during the upcoming presidential inauguration ceremony.

 

Expressing his disapproval of certain statements made by the heads of security organizations, Prof. Udenta emphasized that denying disgruntled Nigerians the right to protest on May 29th would contradict the principles of the constitution and encroach upon the fundamental human rights of citizens.

 

Prof. Udenta Udenta, a renowned African Literature scholar, expressed his views in an interview with journalists  during the public presentation of the book titled “Media and Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy: Threats, Constraints and Resilience,”

 

The book, co-authored by Paul Obi, a former Political Correspondent of THISDAY Newspapers, Taye Obateru, an Associate Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Jos, and Dr. Sam Amadi, the Convener of ASSPT, received a review from Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, a communication consultant and Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at Baze University in Abuja.

 

During the book’s launch, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, served as the chief launcher.

 

Prof. Udenta expressed his concern about the statements made by security chiefs regarding the upcoming inauguration ceremony, describing them as efforts to stifle democratic discourse.

 

According to a report by BIZTELLERS, the Federal government had announced plans to enhance security measures at Eagle Square, the designated venue for the presidential inauguration on May 29, as well as in the surrounding areas.

 

Udenta said, “In two or three days times, there will be inauguration. The Inspector-General of Police is already speaking, the Director General, Department of State Service is speaking, the military are also speaking. However, my sense of it is that they are shutting down democratic conversation and we should not allow that. While you’re going to swear people in, you should equally allow those that want to protest do that peacefully, legitimately constitutionally.
 
“If you have your security perimeter, within which you don’t expect anybody except invited guests and those with clearance, outside the perimeter, thousands, if possible millions of Nigerians, are permitted to gather with their placards and protest. That is part of democracy. The media is a fundamental cadre for protecting democratic infrastructure and governance. The moment you tear it down, democracy vanishes, and authoritarianism becomes the order of the day.
“The behavior of National Broadcasting Commission, and even behaviour of the President-elect’s media team is abhorrent at this stage, that’s why I want to repeat. As people will be sworn in on May 29, millions of Nigerians have right to protests wherever they are as long as they don’t have arms and are doing it peacefully, as the law provides.”
 
The don, therefore, suggested that “the media should cover any protest robustly with intensity, like the way they will cover the swearing-in. So whoever want to protest or have counter-protest can do that within their rights.”
He added, “I feel hurt when I hear people who handle the security talk with so much anger as if people are going to topple the democratic system which is not going to happen. The right to protest is provided for in law.”

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, who was represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a warning to journalists regarding the dissemination of false information and hate speeches.

 

The IGP assured the public of the police force’s preparedness for the upcoming inauguration ceremony.

 

The IGP further stressed the importance of journalists verifying the accuracy of their stories before publishing them while adhering to ethical standards in journalism while reporting on the event.

 

The Governor expressed his gratitude to the organizers, authors, and editors of the book, acknowledging their well-researched scholarly effort. He emphasized that the book directly and practically contributes to the development of media and democracy.

 

However, the Governor lamented the ongoing debate in Nigeria concerning the role of the media in the country’s democratic transformation and consolidation.

 

He highlighted the importance of the media in empowering civic spaces and strengthening democratic governance, as well as the challenges they face in undertaking such responsibilities.

 

Obi, one of the authors, emphasized the necessity of allowing the press to operate in accordance with constitutional provisions.

 

He stated “What we need to do is to ensure that those rights are not breached or limited and it should work within our constitutional framework. Any aspect that prevents media from performing constitutional rights, we should raised alarm.”

 

Amadi, who served as the chief host, commended Governor Mohammed for his media-friendly approach.
He acknowledged that although the media is constitutionally recognized as the fourth estate of the realm, it has a long-standing history of confronting significant challenges head-on.

Politics

Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

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2023: It is time to sing songs of unity, peace prosperity, says Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Stanley Nkwocha disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, announcing the Vice President’s visit to Ebonyi State for the campaign rally.

The rally is scheduled to take place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as part of the APC’s campaign activities under the Renewed Hope agenda.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

The announcement called on residents and party supporters to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Vice President, describing the event as an opportunity for massive political mobilisation.

“One city. Thousands of voices. An atmosphere of incredible energy,” the statement said.

 

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NDC Warns Judiciary Against Turning Courts Into Tools for Political Opposition

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used to undermine democracy following the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The party expressed concern that the judgment, alongside other recent court decisions involving opposition parties, could weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SEE ALSO: APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq. On Friday, the NDC said the manner in which some judgments, particularly those emanating from High Courts, were being delivered raised concerns about a possible attempt to exclude the ADC from the forthcoming elections.

While acknowledging the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the party warned that court decisions capable of weakening opposition parties could create the impression that the judicial system was being used to frustrate democratic competition.

“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means,” the statement read.

The NDC further argued that such developments could shrink the space for multi-party democracy, which it said was already facing significant threats under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party consequently urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, stressing the need to protect public confidence in the institution.

It also called on the ADC to appeal the judgment without delay, urging the appellate court to grant an accelerated hearing to ensure the leadership dispute does not linger ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the NDC, resolving the matter promptly would prevent uncertainty from undermining democratic participation and the ability of political parties to prepare for the forthcoming polls.

The party concluded its statement with the declaration: “A New Nigeria is Possible!”

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APC Pressuring Hotels to Deny Opposition Parties Venues – NDC Raises Alarm

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly pressuring hotels in Abuja to deny the opposition party access to their facilities, describing the development as an attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party raised the allegation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Thursday, who expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to restrict the democratic space and silence opposition voices.

According to the NDC, it has faced not only alleged violent attacks by agents of the ruling APC but also discrimination from hotels and hospitality businesses in Abuja.

SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi

The party specifically accused Rockview Hotel of cancelling agreements to provide facilities for its meetings on two separate occasions.

The first incident, according to the statement, occurred in June 2026 when the hotel allegedly withdrew its agreement to host the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the scheduled event.

The NDC claimed that the hotel recently rejected another request to use its facilities for a meeting, allegedly informing the party that the decision came through an “order from above.”

The party also accused BON Hotel in Wuse, Abuja, of refusing to provide its facilities for a meeting despite the NDC claiming it had fulfilled all the conditions required.

The statement further alleged that the unveiling of the party’s National Campaign Council (NCC) was nearly disrupted after its event venue initially asked the party to refund its payment, saying it was no longer interested in making its facilities available.

The NDC suggested that the decision might have resulted from alleged threats or instructions from influential quarters.

However, the party said its insistence on using the facility after making payment eventually compelled the hotel to honour the arrangement.

Describing the alleged incidents as a threat to democratic participation, the NDC called on the APC to allow opposition parties to operate freely and campaign without interference.

“This is not democracy. The APC should allow all parties to campaign without let or hindrance, and give Nigerians the opportunity to make their choice on who governs them,” the statement said.

The party also urged Nigerians and supporters of democracy to call out Rockview Hotel and BON Hotel over what it described as their “anti-people and anti-democratic actions.”

Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the NDC declared that Nigerians deserved better governance and insisted that it was prepared to serve with passion and patriotism.

“Nigerians deserve better, and NDC is prepared to serve with passion and patriotism,” the statement added.

The party concluded with its declaration that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”

 

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