Protest Leaders Express Worry About Continued Detention Of Activists

Protest Leaders Express Worry About Continued Detention Of Activists

**ABUJA** – Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have voiced their displeasure over the ongoing detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters and are calling for their immediate and unconditional release. This demand was made in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, dated August 29, 2024, titled “Demanding the Right to Peaceful Protest and Assembly in Nigeria……CONTINUE READING 

The letter was signed by prominent CSO representatives, including David Ugolor of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Andrew Mamedu of ActionAid Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Samson Itodo of YIAGA Africa, and Abiola Akioyede of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC). Other signatories included Rev. Father John Patrick Ngoyi of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Tijani Bolton of Policy Alert, Monday Osasah of Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre-LSD), Eze Onyekpere of Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), and Tijani Abdulkareem of Socio Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC).

The CSOs highlighted the severe economic hardships faced by Nigerians due to recent government policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira. They noted that these measures have led to increased prices of essential commodities, a deteriorating exchange rate, and heightened insecurity.

The letter stated, “From August 1 to 10, 2024, Nigerians protested peacefully to express their frustration and demand better governance. This was a call for your administration to address the suffering of the people and improve economic conditions. While we do not support criminal actions or sabotage, we are troubled by the government’s heavy-handed response to these peaceful protests.”

The CSOs condemned the excessive use of force by security agencies, which resulted in the deaths of several protesters, and criticized the government’s labeling of the protests as attempts at “regime change” or a “coup.” They emphasized that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic principle protected by international and national laws, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

The letter urged President Tinubu to:
1. **Unconditionally release** all individuals detained for participating in peaceful protests.
2. **Establish a non-partisan framework** for civic engagement and policy dialogue to address the root causes of the unrest.
3. **Implement measures** to alleviate economic hardships, including ending the importation of refined petroleum products, ensuring transparency in the oil and gas sector, halting opaque borrowing practices, and improving social protection policies and power supply.

The CSOs concluded by urging the President to take decisive and compassionate leadership to restore public confidence and guide Nigeria towards prosperity and justice for all its citizens.

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