#IStandWithBuhari Protesters Fight Over Money In Abuja

Says We were paid between N1000 and N2000 to counter June 12 protest – Pro-Buhari protester

A brawl broke out on Saturday morning amongst members of the #IStandWithBuhari protest group at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

The group leaders were seen in a heated exchange over the sharing of monetary resources meant for organising the counter protests.

Civil society organisations and human rights activists had called for a nationwide protest on June 12 against the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

According to various publicity posters, the protest will make 14 critical demands which are: Abolish 1999 constitution, End terrorism, End banditry, Isa Pantami must go (Minister of Communications and Digital Economy who expressed sympathy for terrorists), Free all detained activists, End insecurity, Justice for all EndSARS victims.

Others are Free Kogi2 (Two anti-President Muhammadu Buhari protesters – Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka – who are being detained in Kogi State), Buhari Must Go, Revert electricity tariffs, End ASUP (Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics) strike, Revert fuel price, Revert party deregistration, and Free Nicholas Mbah.

Abdul Yusuf, who was part of the pro-Buhari counter-protest, stated this in a video sent to Premium Times, Speaking in Pidgin English, Yusuf said he was invited to Unity Fountain, the venue of the protest in Abuja, by one Mohammed Garuba.

“I dey for my area when they called me to come and protest. They promised to pay us N2000, some N1500 and N1000,” he said.

He added that he would not have put on the ‘#I STAND WITH BUHARI’ branded shirt he was wearing if he had not been promised money.

Hiring protesters to counter an ongoing protest has become a standard practice by government officials and politicians in Nigeria.