Nationwide Protests Scheduled Amid Controversy Over President Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers

Set for April 7, 2025, the protest, titled “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Free Speech Suppression,” will see supporters gather at the National Assembly in Abuja, according to a flyer shared by the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, one of the groups involved in last year’s protests.

The protest is aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State, as well as the alleged use of the Cybercrime Act by the police to target activists, journalists, and social media influencers.

Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of TIB, told Punch in an interview that the protest would focus on two main demands: the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the end of the emergency rule in Rivers State.

“The Cybercrime Act has been used to suppress free speech, with journalists, activists, and social media users like SeaKing and others often targeted,” Sanyaolu explained.

He also addressed the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, calling for the reversal of President Tinubu’s emergency rule and the restoration of all suspended government bodies, including the State House of Assembly, the Executive, and other relevant authorities.

The emergency rule, which was declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, followed a prolonged political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike. While the move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it violates the Nigerian constitution, the National Assembly has supported the decision.

Sanyaolu further emphasized that the protest would also address the broader issue of bad governance. “The policies of this administration, especially under President Tinubu, have caused immense suffering among Nigerians,” he said.

Although the primary focus of the protest will be in Abuja, Sanyaolu mentioned that additional locations for demonstrations across the country would be announced shortly.

Police Response to Allegations of Free Speech Suppression

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force has consistently denied accusations of targeting journalists and suppressing free speech under the Cybercrime Act. Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, in a video shared on Facebook last month, stressed that the force is not engaged in any form of witch-hunting against those criticizing the government.

“The Nigeria Police Force is not witch-hunting anyone through the Cybercrime Act. We arrest and prosecute those spreading falsehoods, fake news, and misinformation to discredit individuals and institutions. It’s about verifying stories and ensuring balance before posting online,” Adejobi explained.

Despite these assurances, an increasing number of journalists and media professionals have voiced concerns about the growing use of the Cybercrime Act to silence dissenting voices.