SDP Challenges Government’s Advisory Against Planned Protest

He further called on security agencies to protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, ensuring they are not harassed or intimidated.

By TheInvestigator

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Cross River State, led by Dr Ekpenyong Ambo, has publicly opposed the state government’s recent advisory discouraging residents from participating in a planned protest on August 1, 2024.

In a press statement issued on July 22, 2024, Dr Ambo criticized the government’s approach, emphasizing that the right to peaceful assembly and protest is enshrined in the constitution and should be upheld. He described the government’s assertion that protests are ineffective as “misleading” and an affront to democratic principles.

“Protest has been a powerful tool for bringing about social change and holding governments accountable throughout history,” Dr Ambo stated.

He also expressed skepticism about the government’s claims of proactive measures to alleviate economic hardships in the state, suggesting that these efforts have been insufficient and fail to address the root causes of the economic challenges.

The SDP chairman in Cross River condemned the government’s attempt to associate the upcoming protest with the violence that occurred during the END-SARS protest in 2020, calling it a tactic to stigmatize and intimidate citizens. He urged the government to respect the rights of citizens and to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to address the issues prompting the protest.

He further called on security agencies to protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, ensuring they are not harassed or intimidated.

In concluding, Dr Ambo stated that the government’s advisory deflects from the real issues at hand and demanded a more substantive response to the economic problems facing Cross Riv

er State.