The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has protested the arrest of the National Secretary of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) Mr. Chinedu Bosah, and some other protesters over the recent hikes in fuel price and electricity tariffs.
The National Secretary of CUPP, High Chief Peter Ameh, said on Thursday in Abuja that the arrest was unconstitutional.
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According to him, on Thursday morning, a group of respectable and responsible citizens of Nigeria took to the streets of Lagos State to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech as well as their fundamental rights to peaceful protest by demonstrating their grievance against the recent increase in the price of fuel, electricity tariff, cable TV subscription, among others.
“However, instead of protecting and lending a hand of solidarity to these brave Nigerians, who have boldly and courageously expressed their displeasure towards the inhuman policies inflicted on the masses by the government, the police has chosen to aid our leaders in creating a dictatorial atmosphere by arresting some of the said protesters.
“The report reaching us is that amongst those who were arrested are some executive members of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN).
“The arrest of these well meaning and responsible Nigerians is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, a clear violation of their fundamental rights and a radical exhibition of abuse of power and we hereby demand for their immediate release,” Ameh said.
He said that Nigeria is a practicing democratic state not a tyranny and that it must be seen to live and act as such.
He therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested.
Fuel subsidy removal
The Nigerian government had, last week, increased petrol price to 151.56 per liter from 148, the third increase in the last three months.
It said the oil and gas sector is now completely deregularised with market forces determining prices of petroleum products going forward.
This move by the government is currently being resisted by most Nigerians as protests erupt in many states of the country.
On Thursday morning, protest against fuel price hike in parts of Lagos was disrupted by security agents with some of the protesters arrested in the course of the protest.
Daily Trust reports that the protest, organised by the Socialist Party of Nigeria, (SPN), started from Yaba with protesters marching towards Surulere and Ojuelegba.
But the protesters met stiff resistance from the Police and officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) who allegedly arrested some of the protesters including journalists covering the protest.
