While a Channels Television correspondent who covered the protest in Abuja insisted that he did not observe any sign of violence from the protesters before the police disrupted their parade, Mba in an interview on the same news platform said the use of teargas was an isolated case in Abuja where protesters turned violent.

He also said that no Nigerian in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, or anywhere is currently in detention due to the isolated incident.

The police spokesperson said “We had an isolated case in Abuja where some of the protesters became unruly and in line with international best practices, police fired teargas at them. And that is an acceptable mode of engaging violent protesters anywhere globally, whether in Abuja, Lagos, Paris, London, or New York or California. That is internationally accepted. We would have problems if we had fired live bullets at them, but when you fire teargas at protesters to disperse them, you are not in breach of any known code, either nationally or internationally. I also want to use this opportunity to clearly state that no citizen, either in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano or anywhere, is currently in detention due to this isolated incident. As long as protesters conduct themselves within the confines of the law; they do not constitute themselves into a nuisance, they do not breach the rights of other citizens, they do not obstruct traffic, they do not compel other citizens to join their protests, the police will largely work with them. When you protest in contravention of this set of conditions I have given, clearly you are coming in direct conflict with the laws of the land, and the police will never stand by idly and watch you create problems for the entire polity.”

NANS President, Sunday Asefon, made this announcement in a statement on Friday morning, titled, ‘NANS Suspends June 12 Protest Over Concerns About Safety Of Protesters And Fear Of Possible Hijack By Politicians – Comrade Sunday Asefon’.

Asefon said some politicians with “different agenda” have perfected plans to hijack the protest to “ventilate their political opinions and sentiments”.

He also said the students’ body was not associated with the secessionist campaign or the ‘Buhari-must-go’ campaign slated to hold on Saturday by some politicians and activists.

He said, “Having considered the current security realities and the danger to the lives of our members in case of possible hijack of the planned protest, I in consultation with all the structures of NANS, therefore, announce the suspension of our proposed protest for June 12.

“The suspension of the protest is necessary to avoid a clash of interest and clash with security agencies that are on red alert to protect the nation’s infrastructure from security breaches on the proposed date as a result of many other protests slated for the date.

“We intend to protest for better security and improved welfare for our students, we must therefore not put the life of any of our students at risk to ventilate our grievances.”

Asefon further noted that the protest was not cancelled but postponed, adding that a new date would be announced for the demonstration.

Prof Osinbajo gave the explanation when he received at the Presidential Villa, Venezuelan Vice President, Aristobulo Isturiz, who is leading his country’s delegation to Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Isturiz is among world leaders at the head of their countries’ delegation attending the maiden June 12 Democracy Day activities in Abuja.

He said “One of the principal issues, politically, was the recognition of that election in 1993 which was won by, now late, Chief MKO Abiola, an important progressive opposition leader. That is why we are celebrating June 12 as our new Democracy Day. So, we are really very happy that you are able to share with us a very special event – the celebration of our new democracy day.”

Mustapha made this known in Abuja on Thursday when he led members of the 2019 Presidential Inauguration and June 12 Democracy Day celebration committee on inspection of facilities at Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of the celebration.

He noted that the committee is working to ensure that every necessary thing are put in place ahead of the Democracy Day celebration so as not to disappoint Nigerians who already have high expectations.

Mustapha also added that Nigerians would not be disappointed with the speech to be delivered by President Mohammadu Buhari on the day.

In his speech “Preparation is going on very well and we are confident that we will be able to put a befitting Democracy Day. “It is going to be interplay of our culture, military parade and eventually, the climax will be the new Democracy Day broadcast by the president. “I believe that Nigerians are expectant and they will not be disappointed.”

The SGD who was accompanied to the inspection by the former minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed said “Preparation is going on well for the new national day. The event will witness interplay of military parade and cultural dance.

There will be Democracy Day speech by President Buhari. Nigerians are expectant and they will not be disappointed.”

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had in June, 2018 declared June 12 as Democracy day, effective 2019 Democracy day, marked every May 29 and ordered that it be shifted to June 12 to honour late Moshood Abiola, acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

For this reason, the Federal government announced that the 2019 presidential inauguration ceremony would be low-key as a number of the events slated for the occasion had been rescheduled for June 12 Democracy Day.

In his remarks, the Co-Chair of the Committee and former minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the official commencement of the new Democracy Day in 2019 was in fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to honour the late MKO Abiola in 2018.

For this, he said the Federal Government had invited world leaders for the maiden June 12 Democracy Day celebration instead of the inauguration ceremony to avoid wastage.