A coalition of civil society organizations has announced its intention to press on with nationwide protests against the government’s economic policies, despite a recent broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urging demonstrators to stand down.
The protesters, who have been demanding relief from the country’s worsening economic crisis, say they will continue to take to the streets until their demands are met.
The coalition cited the government’s removal of fuel subsidies without a mitigation plan as a key factor in the country’s economic turmoil, according to Daily Post.
“We will not be silenced or intimidated,” said High Chief Peter Ameh, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
“The government must take immediate action to address the suffering of the Nigerian people.”
The protests, which began on August 1, have seen thousands of Nigerians take to the streets to demand action from the government.
The coalition has vowed to continue the demonstrations, saying they will not be deterred by the government’s warnings.
The government has been accused of using force against peaceful protesters, resulting in deaths and detentions.
The coalition has demanded an end to the use of live ammunition against protesters and the immediate release of those detained.
“It is we, the common citizens, who are bearing the brunt of this decision, as we struggle under unpalatable socioeconomic conditions,” the Coalition said in a press conference addressed by High Chief Ameh.
“Our nation is in crisis. The Nigerian people have been plunged into deeper poverty and hardship. Subsistence living has vanished, leaving many families in distress. Parents struggle to put food on the table, and some are forced to make stew with cucumbers because basic vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and onions are too expensive.
“Farmers live in fear of bandits and kidnappers, preventing them from cultivating their lands, which contributes to the food scarcity we face. The economic turmoil has led to unpaid school fees, and as of 2024, UNICEF has declared Nigeria as having the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. This is an urgent situation that demands immediate attention.
“Crime rates are soaring as people become increasingly desperate. Communities are attacked, and villages are ransacked. Innocent lives are lost, and ancestral lands are seized. This is not the Nigeria we aspire to build. Our people are not greedy; we ask only for a decent standard of living, which can be provided by any competent leader.
“It is particularly disappointing to see this government, led by President Tinubu – who once stood as an opposition leader and supported protests – now using state forces to suppress the rights of citizens. Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, along with Articles 19 and 20 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guarantee our rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Yet, when Nigerians exercise these rights under this government led by President Tinubu, they face brutality and even death.
“We have witnessed tragic events, such as 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. These are only a few examples of the violence that peaceful protesters have endured, with Amnesty International stating over 22 peaceful protesters brutally killed by the security agencies.
“The 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly protects our inalienable rights, including the right to protest. According to the constitution, no one should be held without being charged to court for more than 48 hours.
“Yet, individuals like Alhaji Khalid Aminu remain in detention without charges, languishing in SSS custody in Kaduna. This is unacceptable! Nigeria may be a lawless place, but our fundamental human rights will not be taken away from us.
“We demand that all those detained in connection to the ongoing protest be released with immediate effect else President Tinubu should be ready to arrest us all.
“The demands of Nigerians who have gathered peacefully since August 1, 2024, must be heard. We seek relief from the economic hardships inflicted upon us by the irrational policies of the President Tinubu led government. The use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters is intolerable and must end immediately.
“We also declare that the harassment and intimidation of journalists who are bonafide members of the fourth estate of the realm from covering the protest is a breach of the constitution and other relevant international laws. This should stop immediately.
“Our protests are not a stage for criminal activities. To those who see our peaceful protest as a means to put their criminal activities into practise, you are not a part of our cause.
“We call on President Tinubu to immediately halt the use of brute force by security agencies against peaceful protesters. There is no place for the use of live ammunition on peaceful protesters.
“Nigerians have the right to protest, and our demands are essential for the nation’s progress and stability. We urge the federal government to take immediate action to address these issues.
“We are aware of the government’s tactics of bribing key stakeholders to quash protests, but this time, it will not succeed. If our demands are not met, we will continue to peacefully express our sufferings and frustrations until they are addressed.
“Nigerians will not give up until their demands are met.
“Let us stand united in our pursuit of a better Nigeria – a Nigeria where the government serves the people and ensures that every citizen can live with dignity and hope. Thank you.”
