The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) says that in a democracy, protests are legitimate but should be used to cover insurrection and anarchy.

Niyi Akinsiju, the chairman of the IMPI policy analyst group, said although protests were acceptable in a constitutional democracy, no government would tolerate a call to anarchy and disturbance of public peace.

He said it would seem that some individuals and groups were laying the groundwork for insurrection under the cover of a peaceful protest.

Mr Akinsiju said a peaceful protest is often well-organised, orderly and non-violent.

He said: “For several weeks, we have quietly watched as some individuals and groups mobilised for what they call’ 10 days of rage’ starting on August 1.

“Their mode of preparation, gauged from their actions and speeches, shows that they may be bracing up for riots, chaos, and violence, which are antithetical to peaceful protest.

“Engagement in peaceful protest as a means to reduce the cost of living should be seen from the perspective of actions being taken to ameliorate whatever conditions are considered unpalatable.

“Interestingly, within the time that some are mobilising for the protest, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has continued to roll out policies and programmes to address perceived challenges.”

According to him, those policies are targeted at stemming the effects of the global cost of living crisis as it affects the country.

(NAN)