A coalition of 55 civil society organizations has denounced the violence and looting that has marred the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.
In a joint statement on Sunday, the groups attributed the chaos to the actions of political leaders at all levels of government, emphasizing that restricting citizens’ right to protest is undemocratic.
The statement asserted that peaceful protest is a fundamental right protected by international human rights law and the Nigerian Constitution, allowing citizens to express concerns and participate in the democratic process, according to Sahara Reporters.
The coalition, comprising organizations such as Media Rights Agenda, Nigeria Network of NGOs, and Yiaga Africa, urged the government to engage constructively with protesters to address the underlying issues driving the demonstrations.
The groups called for an end to violence and looting, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest in promoting democratic participation and accountability.
The statement further reads, “Mocking the people to proceed with the protests while they continue to “eat” reeks of insensitivity and is highly reprehensible, demonstrating a callous disregard for the predicament of Nigerians.
According to the statement, “When Nigerians — frustrated with the high cost of living, insecurity, and a wasteful government that has refused to listen to their complaints — announced via various media that they would embark on a 10-day nationwide protest in the hope that the government would pay attention, they were expecting a rapid response to their demands in ways that addressed their concerns.
“Over the last few weeks, Nigerians have planned, mobilised, and curated different types of demands and given the government adequate notice. Instead of responding to the substantive demands of the protesters, the government’s response has been to suppress and delegitimise the protests using propaganda, politics, threats, intimidation, arrests, bribery, and blackmail.
“We are holding the government accountable for ignoring the protesters’ grievances and the negative outcomes of these protests. The violence and looting occurring in the #EndBadGovernance protests speak volumes about the failure of the government to validate and address the concerns of its citizens.
“The blame solely lies with the federal, state, and local governments, which have failed to provide security and welfare to the people. The continued lack of response to the demands of protesters carries a huge risk of further deterioration.”
“The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives held a town hall meeting with youth on the eve of the first day and ended with releasing a video appealing for the protests to be called off as the government had listened.
“The Minister of State for Police Affairs joined anti-protest protesters, while several ministers have held press briefings with posters calling for pro-government protests as their backdrop, thereby validating the rise of fake civil society in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police fired tear gas and used live ammunition against unarmed protesters, murdering citizens. This is criminal, unlawful and a grave violation of their fundamental human rights.
“The Nigeria Police have beaten and physically assaulted peaceful protesters, including journalists and a person with disability.
“The government is threatening to deploy soldiers to the streets. The implications of these threats are obvious, as we recall the outcome of the last time soldiers were deployed to respond to citizens’ protests during the #EndSARS.”
