The City Boy Movement says a protest staged at its headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Thursday was politically sponsored and designed to intimidate its members and create a false narrative about the organisation.
O’tega Ogra, deputy director-general of the movement, said
in a statement that insecurity is a serious national concern and should not be
politicised.
Ogra said insecurity remains a major national challenge
affecting communities across the country, noting that the federal government is
actively addressing the situation.
He cited President Bola Tinubu’s remarks in his nationwide
broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day, in which he warned terrorists to
surrender or face the full force of the law.
Orgra said the City Boy Movement stands “solidly” behind the
president on his resolve to address insecurity in the country.
“So, when people show up at our gate, on a day like this,
pretending nothing is being done, we know exactly what we are looking at. That
is not a concern. That is politics. And bad politics at that,” the statement
reads.
“The City Boy Movement wishes to be very clear about
something else. In video footage from today’s incident, one of the individuals
present was heard calling for our property to be set on fire. That is not
protest. That is a threat of arson.
“The footage has been preserved and will be made available
to the relevant security and law enforcement agencies. Anyone involved should
be in no doubt: we will pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law.”
While noting that the right to peaceful protest is
guaranteed, Ogra said it does not extend to threats, intimidation or disruption
of lawful activities.
He added that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed
but argued that the Abuja protest on Friday was not peaceful.
“We say this especially to young Nigerians: be careful. Do
not allow yourselves to be used by people who do not care about your pain, your
safety, your future, or your country,” Ogra said.
“The people who send others to cause trouble often sit
safely somewhere else. It is ordinary young people who end up bearing the
consequences. Do not let them use you.”
He said some people are ignoring the government’s efforts,
adding that the movement would not be drawn into “pessimism” about the country
under President Tinubu.
Ogra also said the group would not be intimidated or
distracted and would continue cooperating with security agencies to protect its
members, staff, visitors, and property.
“Our doors remain open to sincere dialogue. But we will not
submit our organisation to harassment, blackmail, threats, or political
manipulation disguised as protest,” he said.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No group has the right to
shut another out of the democratic space. And on a day when the president has
told terrorists point-blank that their time is running out, it is disgraceful
that anyone would rather harass fellow citizens than stand with their country.”
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