Day 5 of the #EndBadGovernance Protests: ANEEJ Condemns Killing of protesters, Excessive Force by Security agencies
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA. August 6, 2024… The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has condemned the killing of protesters in some states arising from excessive use of force by the Nigerian Police Force in managing the protests across the country even as it urges all protesters to remain law-abiding and peaceful in their demonstrations.
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, noted that this is against the right to life and peaceful assembly by protesters as Guaranteed by the Universal Charter on Human Rights and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a reaction to the National address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, 4th August 2024, ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting a significant disconnect between the broadcast and the people’s legitimate grievances which led to the continued demonstration.
“The President’s speech failed to address the core demands of the protesters,” Ugolor stated. “It seemed more like a strategic move to quell the protests rather than a sincere effort to address their legitimate concerns.” He continued “The public has clearly articulated their grievances against bad governance and severe economic hardship, demanding specific actions such as reversing the fuel subsidy withdrawal. Instead of engaging with these demands, the speech focused on downplaying the protests, justifying past government actions, and dismissing protesters as ‘misinformed’ and influenced by political adversaries.”
ANEEJ also condemned the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, ordering protesters to desist from any form of peaceful public demonstration and his officers to clamp down on any protest within the state following the President’s nationwide broadcast. “That is not how protests work. Protesters will cease their demonstration when they believe that they have been heard and concrete solutions have been discussed. Till then, the protests can continue, as it is the constitutional right of citizens” added Rev. Ugolor.
Recent reports have highlighted numerous instances where the police continue to employ unnecessary and disproportionate force to disperse peaceful protesters even as the protest continues with their loyalty to the President and not to the protesters. This is not only a violation of fundamental human rights but also a stark contravention of the principles of democracy and justice that our nation stands for.
Expectations for the President’s broadcast was high, with the public hoping for a genuine and empathetic response to the issues raised by the protesters. Key expectations included a clear and actionable plan to address bad governance, economic hardships, and corruption, particularly in the oil sector. Additionally, there was an expectation for the President to condemn the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters and commit to a more humane approach to protest management what has not been the case since the inception of the #EndBadGvernance Protest with casualties being recorded in many states.
To effectively address the protesters’ concerns and bring an end to the demonstrations, ANEEJ advises the President to take the following steps:
1. Engage in Dialogue: Establish open channels for continuous dialogue with protest leaders and civil society organizations and initiate live interactions where the President can directly address these concerns and engage with the people.
2. Acknowledge Grievances: Publicly recognize the legitimacy of the protesters’ demands, particularly their calls for immediate economic relief and an end to police brutality.
3. Revisit Fuel Subsidy Policy: Consider revising the fuel subsidy policy to mitigate its impact on vulnerable citizens.
4. Commit to Reform: Conduct a thorough review and reform of protest management protocols and prohibit the use of live ammunition and excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and ensure accountability for those responsible for excessive force and violence against protesters.
5. Establish independent commissions of inquiry to investigate incidents and recommend appropriate actions.
ANEEJ stands in solidarity with all Nigerians who are exercising their right to protest peacefully. We call on the Nigerian Police Force to respect the rights of the protesters and refrain from any further acts of violence and intimidation. We also urge the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesters and take immediate steps to address their concerns. Only through constructive engagement and tangible action can we hope to achieve lasting peace and justice in our society.
ANEEJ will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the rights of all Nigerians to express their views without fear of intimidation. We reiterate our commitment to promoting an Africa without poverty, where justice and equity prevail.
For further information, please contact 08187674339 or info@aneej.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @aneejnigria, @Latakpu, aneej__nigeria, and facebook.com/aneejnigeria.