Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has described the Federal Government as cowards when dealing with terrorists “who dare the government” daily but are quick to “unleash violence” on peaceful protesters.
In a statement on X on Thursday, Yesufu lamented the rate at which the government responds to curbing demonstrations but fails to use such military might to go after terrorists and bandits.
She mentioned every citizen has the right to stage demonstrations and should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right without fear of intimidation.
“Nobody has a monopoly of protest, and nobody has to be the face of a protest. Every citizen, whether known or unknown, has the right to protest and whatever issue they feel aggrieved about,” she said.
“Anyone who has protested in Nigeria knows that it is the Nigerian government that unleashes violence on peaceful protesters,” she added.
Furthermore, she mentioned that “the ones causing mayhem are terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers who daily dare the government. Yet the government is cowardly when it comes to them. It is peaceful protesters they unleash violence on.”
“Your 1978 is another person’s 2024. You have done yours; let them do theirs. I am part of the older generation, and I do not think we have any moral justification to tell the youth of today how to protest. If the protests we did worked, will they need to still be on the streets demanding good governance?” Yesufu quarried.
