A coalition of civil society organisations, labour unions, youth groups, community associations and prominent activists has declared tomorrow, June 12, a day of nationwide protest against worsening insecurity, economic hardship and deteriorating living conditions across Nigeria.
The coalition, which includes human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, popular musician, Folarin Falana (Falz), the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Joint Action Front (JAF), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) and several other groups, said Nigerians have little to celebrate for this year’s Democracy Day amid growing poverty, hunger and insecurity.
In a statement yesterday, the coalition accused the Federal Government of failing to adequately address persistent security challenges, including terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, which it said continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across the country.
The group expressed solidarity with victims of violent attacks and families of those abducted by criminal gangs, calling for immediate efforts to secure the release of all Nigerians currently being held captive in various parts of the country.
“We demand immediate and concrete actions to secure the release of all Nigerians currently held captive by criminal groups in Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and other states, where citizens have been abducted,” the statement said.
According to the coalition, repeated assurances by government officials that insecurity is being defeated have not translated into improved safety for citizens.
It noted that many communities remain vulnerable to attacks, farmers are unable to safely access their farmlands, schools continue to face security threats and major highways remain dangerous for commuters.
The coalition also blamed what it described as anti-poor economic policies of the administration of President Bola Tinubu for worsening living conditions across the country.
It argued that the removal of fuel subsidy, repeated increases in petrol prices, Naira devaluation, rising electricity tariffs and the commercialisation of essential services have deepened poverty and hardship among Nigerians.
The coalition said despite increased statutory allocations to federal, state and local governments, ordinary citizens continue to struggle under soaring inflation and declining purchasing power.
“Food prices have skyrocketed. Transportation costs have become unbearable. Small and medium-scale businesses are collapsing under the combined burden of expensive fuel, unstable electricity and declining purchasing power,” the statement added.
The organisers described the June 12 protest as part of a series of actions aimed at compelling the government to take urgent steps to tackle insecurity and reverse policies they believe have worsened the economic situation.
They called on workers, students, traders, artisans, market women, professionals, unemployed youths, religious organisations and community groups to mobilise for the nationwide demonstration.
“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians,” the coalition stated.
The group urged Nigerians to unite in demanding improved security, economic relief and a decent standard of living, declaring, “Enough of the killings. Enough of the kidnappings. Enough of the hunger. Enough of the suffering.”
Among the signatories to the statement are Falana, Falz, CDHR National President, Yinka Folarin, Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Adaramoye Michael of the Youth Rights Campaign, Jonathan Ugbal of the Calabar Group of Socialists, Richard Inoyo of Citizens Solution Network and several labour and civil society leaders.
