EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Human Rights Lawyer Festus Ogun Demands Nigerian Army Redirects Focus from Protesters to Terrorists

Human Rights Lawyer Festus Ogun has condemned the Nigerian Army’s recent threats against peaceful #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters.

Taking to his X handle, Ogun asserted that, instead of focusing on the legitimate exercise of free speech, the military should be dedicating its resources to the critical fight against terrorism. He believes the army’s misplaced priorities call into question its commitment to upholding the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens.

“The military should go to Sambisa Forest to issue threats to terrorists whom they’ve failed to conquer for over a decade. Placards and graffiti shouldn’t be sending this much chills into their spines.”, Ogun wrote.

Reports has revealed how Nigerian citizens are banding together to organise a nationwide protest against bad governance under the banner of ‘EndBadGovernanceInNigeria’. The protest, which is set to take place across the country, aims to highlight the various shortcomings and missteps of the Nigerian government in order to demand systemic change.

The demonstration also aims to convey the public’s dissatisfaction with the economic and social hardships under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian military has stated that the organiser of the protest seems to be emulating the violent demonstrations in Kenya, which remain unresolved.

It added that the level of violence being envisaged can only be described as a stage for anarchy, noting that the Armed Forces, on its part, will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall the country.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the statement at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

“While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror,” Buba said.

“It is easy to see that the contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow the outrage in Kenya, which I must say is violent and remains unresolved.”, he added.