While Obi threw his weight behind the planned nationwide protest, Otti cautioned that the demonstration may trigger violence in the country.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has expressed an opposing view to his fellow party man and Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, over the planned nationwide hardship protest.
The planned 10-day demonstrations, billed to be held from August 1 through August 10, 2024, have continued to generate reactions across the country.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal to organisers of the protest to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue, mobilisation has intensified, especially on social media.
The organisers are hell-bent on hitting the street to express their grievances over the prevalent economic hardship and other challenges bedevilling the country.
Peter Obi
Obi and Otti differ on planned protest
Speaking to Channels Television during a courtesy visit to Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, over the weekend, Obi declared his support for the scheduled protest.
The former Anambra State Governor noted that the Nigerian Constitution allows room for protest as it is the right of citizens.
He, however, cautioned intending participants to eschew violence, warning that such demonstrations should be done within the confines of the law.
Obi highlighted hunger and hopelessness among the youths as the factors that triggered the protest, calling on the Nigerian authorities to engage and give a listening ear to the protesters.
“In Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed,” he said, adding, “All I plea for those who are protesting is to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.”
While acknowledging that things are difficult in the country, Obi said, “We all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our governor (Alex Otti) for doing so. It is important.”
Otti expresses a contrary view
Otti, who stood beside Obi during the interview, expressed a contrary view to his party leader.
The Governor warned that protest may lead to violence and appealed to the aggrieved citizens to explore other means to engage the government.
He also alleged that nobody has come forward to identify as the leader of the protest, which makes the situation difficult for the Nigerian police to hold anyone responsible if it turns violent.
