A coalition of civil society organizations has vowed to persist with their nationwide protests on Saturday as part of their “EndBadGovernance” campaign. This decision follows recent comments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the ongoing demonstrations. The protests, which are spreading across Nigeria, are driven by severe economic difficulties and hardship exacerbated by recent government actions.
High Chief Peter Ameh, representing the coalition, addressed a press conference in Abuja on Friday, describing the situation as dire. He emphasized that many Nigerians are struggling with soaring prices and worsening poverty, forcing families into severe economic hardship. Many people are unable to afford basic necessities, with some even resorting to making stew from cucumbers due to the high cost of traditional ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
The coalition also highlighted the plight of farmers who live in constant fear of bandits and kidnappers, which prevents them from working their lands and contributes to the ongoing food scarcity. The economic turmoil has led to an increase in unpaid school fees, and as of 2024, UNICEF has reported that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children globally. This situation demands urgent attention from the government.
Crime rates have surged as people become increasingly desperate. The coalition reports that communities are frequently attacked, villages are looted, and innocent lives are lost. They expressed disappointment that President Tinubu, who once supported protests as an opposition leader, is now using state forces to suppress citizens’ rights. They pointed out that both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Despite this, peaceful protesters are facing violence from security forces.
Recent incidents, including the killing of Abbas Kabiru by the Nigerian Police in Kaduna and the death of 16-year-old Ismail Mohammed at the hands of the Nigerian Army, illustrate the brutal response to peaceful protests. Amnesty International has reported that over 22 peaceful protesters have been killed by security agencies.
The coalition emphasized that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, protects the right to protest and mandates that no one should be held without charges for more than 48 hours. Despite this, individuals like Alhaji Khalid Aminu remain detained without charges, which they find unacceptable.
They called for the immediate release of all detained protesters and demanded an end to the use of live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators. The coalition also condemned the harassment of journalists who are attempting to cover the protests, describing it as a breach of constitutional and international laws. They stressed that their protests are meant to address legitimate grievances and reject any criminal activities that may occur under the guise of the demonstrations.
The coalition urged President Tinubu to halt the use of force against protesters and address the economic issues causing the unrest. They warned that if their demands are not met, they will continue to protest until their concerns are addressed. They remain committed to a peaceful resolution and envision a Nigeria where the government serves the people, ensuring dignity and hope for every citizen.
