Your clampdown on anti-Buhari protesters was wrong, Senate blasts Police
The Senate has condemned the use of force by the Police in dispersing anti-Buhari protesters in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a statement by the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Abdullahi, the Senate stated that though it did not support the protest, it would not support violation of fundamental rights of Nigerians.
A group, “OurMuMuDonDo’’, led by popular musician, Charles Oputa, otherwise known as Charly Boy, on Monday began an indefinite sit-out at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, demanding Buhari’s resumption of work or resignation.
But, on Tuesday, the police forcefully dispersed them with teargas which resulted in the slumping of Charly Boy.
“While we are opposed to the subject of the protest, the Senate acknowledges that the protesters have the constitutional right to gather and express their views in a manner that will not breach public peace and order.
“Since the ‘Our-Mumu-Don-Do’ protesters did not conduct themselves in such a manner as to disturb public peace, it is not right for the Police to brutalise them as they reportedly did yesterday.
“The police should review their rules of engagement and ensure that they are in line with that of modern democratic societies.
“The rights of the people should not be violated by the police employed to protect these rights.
“Where the Police suspect that hoodlums are trying to hijack a protest, it is their duty to apprehend the hoodlums and those who break the law rather than generalise and thus brutalise innocent protesters.
“We, however, urge the organisers of the protest to join other Nigerians in praying for the safe return of President Buhari.
”They should note that any mortal can find himself in the situation where one needs medical attention and more time to fully recuperate.
”More so, in the present case, the President complied with the provisions of the Constitution and all organs of government are not impaired nor hindered by his medical vacation,” it stated.
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