President Bola Tinubu has called for calm over the planned peaceful nationwide protest.
While admitting he was part of protesters against dictatorship in the past, he said he did so peacefully.
“During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property,” the president said on Thursday when he received a Letter of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and I will continue to maintain this democracy.”
According to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu admitted that protests are part of democracy.
He, however, says no administration condones protests that will lead to the damage of properties and the destruction of lives.
Tinubu said that protests are an integral part of democracy, but that no government will condone demonstrations that lead to the destruction of lives and property.
The Nigerian leader hailed Nigeria’s relationship with America, describing it as rich.
“Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter,” Tinubu said.
“We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values.”
