Ratel Leader Martin Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, has publicly clashed with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, challenging Wike’s authority to dictate protest locations in Abuja. This confrontation occurred amidst a tense protest scene, as police used tear gas against demonstrators at the Berger Roundabout in Abuja on Friday.
In a defiant statement, VeryDarkMan rejected Wike’s directive suggesting that the protesters should relocate their demonstration to a stadium. “We have no obligation to relocate our protest to the stadium,” he asserted. “We are not professional athletes like Victor Osimhen or Jay Jay Okocha. We are not animals; we are citizens with rights.” This comment underscores his stance that protests should not be confined to specific, pre-approved venues.
VeryDarkMan’s criticism of Wike’s suggestion is rooted in his belief that such directives overstep legal boundaries. He argues that Wike does not possess the authority to dictate where citizens should protest, framing it as an encroachment on constitutional rights. “Nigeria is our homeland, and as citizens, we are entitled to exercise our right to protest in any location we deem appropriate. Our rights are enshrined in the constitution, and we will not be silenced or corralled into arbitrary locations,” he declared.
The Ratel Leader further condemned the attempt to control protest locations as an assault on democratic freedoms. He posited that public protests are a fundamental aspect of democracy and restricting this right is not only unconstitutional but undermines the democratic principles that underpin the nation. “Protesting in public spaces is a fundamental aspect of democracy,” VeryDarkMan asserted. “Any attempt to limit this right is not only unconstitutional but also undermines the core principles of democracy upon which our nation stands.”
Moreover, VeryDarkMan accused Wike of attempting to delegitimize the protests by suggesting that only certain venues, such as stadiums, are appropriate for demonstrations. He views this as a strategy to marginalize and discredit the protesters’ cause. “This is an attempt to delegitimize our cause and marginalize our voices,” he argued. “We will not be cowed into submission or confined to predetermined spaces. Our right to protest is a pillar of our democracy, and we will exercise it wherever we see fit.”
The dispute highlights increasing tensions between protesters and local authorities and raises broader questions about governmental control and public dissent. VeryDarkMan’s remarks reflect a significant frustration with perceived governmental overreach and a growing movement advocating for the preservation of civil liberties and transparency from those in power.
As the situation continues to develop, the government’s approach to managing public demonstrations and addressing citizens’ concerns will be closely scrutinized. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for democratic freedoms and the delicate balance between maintaining public order and upholding individual rights.
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Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/wike-cannot-tell-us-where-to-protest-verydarkman/