‘Author’s figment of imagination’ — LP dismisses Onanuga’s allegations on anti-hunger protest

• Leave us out of ‘EndBad government’ protest — LP tells Onanuga
• Labour party insist ”We are a peaceful party, not lawless.”

The Labour Party’s National Working Committee has denied any involvement in a planned nationwide protest, emphasizing that the party is not known for lawlessness or acts that could divide the country.

In a statement on Saturday, national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifo, refuted allegations made by President’s media aide Bayo Onanuga, which suggested that the Labour Party was linked to the protest.

The party leadership said it has also taken notice of a tweet allegedly from Onanuga, which falsely implicated the Labour Party, its national leader Peter Obi, and other prominent figures in the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest.

The Labour party further states, “We say that there is no truth in that and the tweet is just the author’s figment of his imagination.

“Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has at several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. We are not known as a lawless group as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election. It is therefore delusional for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest. Labour Party, Peter Obi and our supporters are not planning any protests.

“However, peaceful protests all over the world are initiated and executed by the people and not by the opposition. No opposition has any control over protests. Popular protests such as in Kenya, Egypt and several other places were a direct registration of the people’s frustration against the government. The opposition have the right to protest and it is within their constitutional right.

“It is therefore puerile for the government or anyone for that matter to begin to look for who to blame for the bad governance that is being witnessed in Nigeria today. Nigeria can still get it right if the right policies are initiated. We also advise that some aides of the presidency must be cautioned to avoid incendiary pronouncements capable of combusting the nation, all in the name of playing politics”.