Attah Ede, Makurdi
Ahead of the planned nationwide protests slated for 1st to 10th August 2024, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately address citizens in a state-of-the-nation broadcast to engage the people’s legitimate grievances, calm frayed nerves, and break the icy tension that has formed across parts of the country.
The organisation also urged the President to affirm his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of citizens by compelling all government machinery and authorities to safeguard the lives and well-being of every citizen under their watch.
Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, specifically urged the Nigerian police and security agencies to fulfil their obligations as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) by ensuring that the right of citizens to peacefully assemble is upheld without interference.
He explained that the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria filtered into public space and social media about three weeks ago in response to the growing frustration at the soaring cost of living and hardship precipitated by a series of economic reforms carried out by the Federal government since May 29 last year.
“Since then, the country has gone agog with claims and counterclaims about the true motives of the protest, with various groups and individuals making inflammatory statements on social and traditional media that have not only heightened tension but also added a distasteful ethnic colouration to the whole development.
“Sadly, not only have the institutions of government, including the police, the Department of State Security, the Nigerian Army, and now the judiciary, been dragged into the controversy but several statements and actions from government officials have also demonstrated a bare-faced disregard for citizen’s rights and several international treaties obliging Nigeria to protect human rights and guarantee the fundamental freedoms of citizens to engage their representatives via the means of a peaceful protest…
“We would like to point out in particular that Chapter IV, Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, guarantee citizens the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association for the protection of their interests.
“Section 41 also upholds the rights of law-abiding citizens to freely move throughout the country, reside in any part thereof and not be refused entry or exit. Article 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights furthermore enshrine the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
“A peaceful protest is a legitimate mechanism for citizens to vent their grievances against unfavourable government policies, and any attempt to undermine how citizens feel is an assault against true democracy. Governance can only be genuine when it accords the dignity of participation, inclusion and expression for all citizens.”
The group further cautioned state and non-state actors to desist from criminalizing and victimizing innocent Nigerians and dissenting voices.
It encouraged Nigerians to remain peaceful and united in the face of the nation’s challenges and during the protest.
It also urged security forces to stay alert to thwart and decisively deal with any plans by sponsored miscreants and thugs to crack down on peaceful protestors and undermine or physically disrupt activities at protest sites.
