The former governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle has stated that those planning the nationwide protests need to be identified.
His statement is coming following the nationwide protests that has been scheduled to commence on August 1.
In the report that was published by SAHARA REPORTERS, the former governor of Zamfara state said it is strange that the persons behind the protest, the sponsors and their facilitators are unknown.
Matawalle said it should be known that while the laws in Nigeria allow peaceful protests, the laws do not legitimize violence and destruction of public property. He said violence in the name of protest is a crime.
Bello Matawalle said there are clear provisions against crime in Nigeria as they are under international law.
Bello Matawalle was quoted as saying that;
“Who is the masquerade behind the so-called protesters? We need to know. This is strange and ominous that they are unknown. Let it also be clear that while our laws and international law allow peaceful protest, assembly and association; it does not legitimize violence and destruction. And no democracy will allow its citizens to be threatened by either internal or external aggression. Protests are constitutional rights; violence in the name of protest is a crime”….Seë_Morë