The Network of Abuja Left Groups has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 76 protesters, including 32 minors, arrested during August’s #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
The coalition, comprising seven human rights organizations, condemned the prolonged detention and called for an end to judicial intimidation and the suppression of dissent. Furthermore, they demand a thorough investigation into the security forces’ excessive use of force against protesters.
The press statement titled “On The Sham Trial of 76 # EndBadGovernance Protesters on Nov. 1″
It reads “We Demand The Unconditional Release of All # EndBadGovernance Protesters in Detention and Drop of All Charges against Those On Trial Now!
We Call On The Nigerian people to Not Be Discouraged In The Face of Continued Increase in Cost of Living
“The Network of Abuja Left Groups condemn the Federal Government’s plan to arraign 76 brave Nigerian protesters for their participation in the # EndBadGovernance demonstrations. Among these 76 arrested protesters are 32 minors between the ages of 14 and 17 – young Nigerians whose only ‘crime’ was standing for their right to a dignified life. The Network of Abuja Left Groups unequivocally condemns this politically motivated repression and demands the immediate release of all detainees, especially the minors. The # EndBadGovernance protest was justified because the movement was a united and peaceful action by the Nigerian people, across all ethnic groups, religions and partisan divide, against the acute economic distress and systemic failures that affects hundreds of millions of Nigerians daily.
“In the face of continued attacks by the government on our living conditions, we call on Nigerians to not be discouraged by this ongoing repression of protesters because this moment is not isolated but part of a broader, recurring pattern of state-sanctioned violence in Nigeria that is meant to make us resign into helplessness. Every violent arrest, every accusation of treason, and every baseless conspiracy charge only exposes the fact that the Tinubu government has no credibility but wishes to perpetuates itself through fear, repression, and exploitation. These sham trials are symptoms of a dictatorial regime that has chosen to suppress dissent to maintain the status quo because the government does not want to address their neoliberal policy impositions which are root causes of social and economic inequality that has afflicted the people. The Nigerian state has accused these protesters of “treason” and “conspiring to destabilize Nigeria.” We must ask – who truly destabilizes Nigeria? Is it the Nigerian people—who suffer under a collapsed health sector, deteriorated education, skyrocketing costs of living, increasing hike in the energy sector and rampant unemployment? Or is it the ruling elite who profit from the suffering of the many while securing themselves in positions of unchecked power?
If the Tinubu government interprets the chants of ‘End Bad Governance” as a call for violent overthrow of their administration, does it mean that the administration is admitting that their governance is bad?
“The fact that minors were among these arrested protesters is particularly egregious. It only exposes that the Tinubu government is willing to weaponize punitive legal action against even the youngest voices of dissent. This sham trial is an attempt to break the spirit of our future generation and will not stand the test of times. These children are charged with inciting mutiny, but it is clear that it is their country that has failed them and breached its social contract with them. These brave children should be heard and honored by any responsible government, not criminalized. Referring to minors and young citizens as potential traitors solely for speaking out against economic hardship does not reflect a government invested in inclusive, democratic governance, and such government has no moral right to paint itself as defenders of democracy from military takeover.
“The Network of Abuja Left Groups calls on the Nigerian people and international community to recognize these charges for what they are – an affront to human dignity and an infringement on the Nigerian people’s inalienable right to self-expression and social action. We reiterate that these protests are the symptom and true reflection of PBAT economic realities aimed at exploiting the poor masses which serves as feedback and not the cause, of Nigeria’s instability.
Any responsible government will focus on the cause which is the hunger that was created by the austerity policies of the Tinubu government. Any government that sees the masses as threats dos not represent the interest of the people. We, therefore, charge all lovers of justice to make ourselves available at the court premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja to show our solidarity on November 1.
There demands includes, “Immediate and unconditional release of all the detained protesters, which includes 32 minors
An end to judicial intimidation and suppression of dissent
Open probe of all security forces who have used excessive force against protesters, by tear-gassing, beating, and unlawful shooting protesters.”
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