Amid growing public frustration over economic hardship, several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have voiced strong concerns about the continued detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters. In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, dated August 29, 2024, the CSOs urged the government to respect the right to peaceful protest and assembly, demanding the immediate and conditional release of the detained individuals.
The letter, titled “Demanding the Right to Peaceful Protest and Assembly in Nigeria,” was signed by prominent CSO leaders, including David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ); Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria; Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa; and Abiola Akioyede, Founding Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC). Other signatories included Rev. Father John Patrick Ngoyi, Director of the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC); Tijani Bolton, Executive Director of Policy Alert; Monday Osasah, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre-LSD); Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ); and Tijani Abdulkareem, Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC).
In the letter, the CSOs highlighted the critical situation in Nigeria, attributing the current economic challenges to the government’s recent policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira. These measures, according to the CSOs, have resulted in significant economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians, leading to a surge in the prices of essential commodities and a deteriorating exchange rate. They also pointed out the worsening insecurity in various parts of the country, adding another layer of difficulty for millions of citizens.
The letter stated that from August 1 to 10, 2024, Nigerians took to the streets in peaceful protests, expressing their frustrations and demanding better governance. The demonstrations were seen as a call for urgent action by the government to alleviate the suffering of the people and improve the country’s governance and economic conditions.
The CSOs, while condemning the actions of those who engaged in criminal activities during the protests, expressed deep concern over the government’s response to the peaceful demonstrations. Reports indicate that several protesters have been detained across the country, with some facing legal actions for exercising their constitutional right to protest. The CSOs also condemned the excessive use of force by security agencies, which led to the deaths of several protesters, describing it as alarming and unacceptable.
Furthermore, the letter criticized the government’s characterization of the protests as an attempt at “regime change” or a “coup,” warning that such rhetoric could further escalate tensions. The CSOs acknowledged recent measures taken by the administration, such as the signing of the amended National Minimum Wage Act and the distribution of food aid, but argued that these actions, though well-intentioned, were insufficient to address the underlying causes of the unrest.
In their conclusion, the CSOs reminded President Tinubu of his own past involvement in protests under previous administrations, emphasizing the importance of respecting citizens’ rights to express their grievances. They urged the government to prioritize the protection of democratic principles, including the right to peaceful protest and assembly, as enshrined in international human rights instruments and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
