SERAP to sue Nigerian govt, police over alleged attacks on OBIdients

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) says it will sue the Muhammadu Buhari administration as well as the Nigeria Police over alleged attacks and harassment of supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The organization made this known via its Twitter handle on Wednesday.

According to reports, Labour Party supporters at a recent demonstration in Oshodi, Lagos State, were beaten and physically assaulted.

The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, responded by promising to thoroughly investigate the event and see that those responsible were held accountable.

Similar to this, Peter Obi responded to the news on Tuesday via his Twitter account, saying: “Elections are not deemed free and fair when a certain faction uses intimidation to keep the opposition quiet, both during the campaign and during the election.

”Peaceful assembly and unfettered electioneering campaigns are constitutionally guaranteed. Both and other ordered liberties cannot be breached wilfully by security agents.

“Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents is extremely disturbing and condemnable. We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation.

“I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties”, he added.

SERAP in a tweet, also condemned the development, stressing the rights of Nigerians to free participation and assembly.

The tweet read: “We’re suing the Buhari administration and Nigeria Police Force over reports of intimidation and attacks on supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate in some parts of the country. Everyone has the right to participation and assembly.”