A COALITION, comprising civil society organisations (CSOs), Labour unions, youth groups, community associations and prominent right activists, on Friday, June 12, otherwise known as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, observed a nationwide protest over worsening insecurity, economic hardship and deteriorating living conditions across Nigeria.
Led by rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, the coalition had earlier on Wednesday, June 10, announced the mass action, in a statement, accusing the federal government of failing to protect lives and address the deepening economic crisis confronting millions of Nigerians, insisting Nigerians have little to celebrate on the day, as communities continue to witness terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks.
The coalition bemoaned that innocent citizens are being killed, abducted and displaced, while government efforts to curb insecurity remain inadequate of ineffective, expressing solidarity with victims of terrorism and kidnapping and demanding urgent measures to secure the release of citizens currently being held in several states, including Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger.
Noting that protection of lives and property must remain the primary responsibility of government, the protest organisers blamed the worsening economic conditions on as anti-poor policies implemented by the President Bola Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal, repeated fuel price increases, currency devaluation and rising electricity tariffs.
It stressed that the policies have triggered soaring food prices, increased transportation costs, declining purchasing power and the collapse of many small and medium-scale businesses, noting that despite rising statutory allocations to federal, state and local governments, ordinary Nigerians are becoming poorer, while workers’ wages remain insufficient amid persistent inflation.
The coalition noted that the protest would be the first in a series of actions aimed at pressuring government to tackle insecurity and reverse policies that have deepened poverty and hardship, urging workers, students, traders, artisans, professionals, market women, unemployed youths, religious bodies and community groups to mobilise and participate in the demonstrations.
While protesters gathered, another group that identified itself as “Team Nigeria,” arrived in support of Tinubu, staging a counter-rally at the same location.
Both groups set up loudspeakers and music systems, each attempting to dominate the space, leading to a tense stand-off over control of the venue.
A Police team, led by Akinwumi Oke, a Superintendent of Police (SP), was deployed to the scene to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The situation became more charged when Falana arrived at the venue with his wife, Funmi; lawyer-and his lawyer-musician-activist son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz, thereby energising supporters already gathered.
Falana said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to insecurity in states, including Oyo, Zamfara and Kebbi, and incessant abductions in parts of the country.
He criticised worsening hardship and what he described as “shrinking civic space,” saying “what we have in Nigeria is civil rule, not democracy,” urging the Police to ensure that counter-mobilisation did not disrupt lawful assemblies.
The other rally, however, continued with loud music and chants, further heightening tension at the venue, even as both sides remained separated by security operatives.
The protest was supported by Falana; Falz; National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin; leaders of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Omoyele Sowore; Labour activists; socialist organizations; and several civil society groups.
According to the coalition: “The time has come for Nigerians to speak with one voice and demand security, dignity and a decent standard of living.
“Enough of the killings. Enough of the kidnappings. Enough of the hunger. Enough of the suffering.”
There was panic after Sowore collapsed following a confrontation with the Police during the protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja as the operatives moved to disperse the protesters and dispersed after security personnel fired tear gas canisters in an apparent attempt to break up the gathering.
Sowore was subsequently taken to an undisclosed hospital for further examination and treatment.
The group of protesters, led by Sowore, had set out from Berger Bus Stop and were headed to the Federal Secretariat to present their demands to the government when, on approaching the Eagle Square, security operatives stationed in the area fired teargas canisters at close range, dispersing the crowd and causing panic among protesters and passersby.
He was quickly moved him away from the scene and rushed to assist him.
The situation degenerated when the Police reportedly fired another round of teargas as Sowore was receiving attention, triggering further confusion and forcing many demonstrators to flee.
Despite the crackdown, protesters later regrouped and continued their march, insisting they would not be intimidated.
Addressing journalists later, Sowore said Nigerians must be liberated from what he described as the shackles of oppression.
In a statement posted on his X handle, he alleged that Police deployed a “strange gas” at close range during the protest, noting: “Today, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force deployed a strange gas at the protest ground, at close range, which entered my lungs and left me struggling to breathe before I eventually collapsed.”
Sowore stressed that the incident showed the increasingly dangerous tactics being deployed by security agents, especially the Police, to suppress dissents and intimidate citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
