NEWS
June 12 Protest Looms as Falana, Civil Society Groups Rally Nigerians Against Insecurity, Hardship
A coalition of prominent civil society organizations, human rights activists, labour groups, youth movements, and faith-based bodies has announced plans for a nationwide protest on June 12, citing escalating insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and the worsening living conditions of millions of Nigerians.
The mass action, which is expected to take place across various states of the federation, is being spearheaded by renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, alongside 16 civil society organizations determined to draw national attention to what they describe as the country’s growing social and economic crisis.
The protest is deliberately scheduled to coincide with Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, a date set aside to commemorate the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola before its annulment.
However, the organizers insist that the worsening realities facing citizens have overshadowed the significance of the annual celebration, arguing that many Nigerians have little reason to rejoice amid rising insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
The coalition includes trade unions, youth organizations, social justice movements, and religious groups united by a common demand for improved governance and urgent intervention to address the nation’s mounting challenges.
In a joint statement signed by Falana in his capacity as National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the Lagos State #EndBadGovernance Movement, and Yinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), the organizers raised alarm over what they described as the alarming expansion of insecurity across the country.
According to the coalition, numerous communities continue to suffer from persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, leaving thousands of families devastated and forcing many residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
The statement said:
“Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatized while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective.
“We express solidarity with families of victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
“We demand immediate and concrete action to secure the release of all Nigerians held captive by criminal groups in Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and other states where citizens have been abducted. The Nigerian people deserve a pro-people government that places protection of lives and property at the core of governance.”
The organizers further accused government authorities of failing to match their assurances of improved security with tangible results on the ground. They argued that despite repeated declarations of progress in the fight against insecurity, many rural communities, farmers, travelers, and students continue to face daily threats to their safety.
Beyond security concerns, the coalition blamed Nigeria’s current economic difficulties on the neoliberal economic policies introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The statement highlighted the effects of currency devaluation, rising electricity tariffs, and the removal of fuel subsidies, which it said have significantly increased the cost of living and placed enormous pressure on households and businesses nationwide.
According to the coalition, these policy measures have contributed to unprecedented food inflation, shrinking purchasing power, and the collapse of numerous small and medium-scale enterprises, despite increased federal allocations to state governments.
The organizers described the June 12 protest as the beginning of a sustained campaign of civic engagement and public demonstrations aimed at demanding policy changes and improved governance. They called on workers, students, unemployed youths, market women, professionals, and community leaders to mobilize support at the grassroots level and participate actively in the nationwide action.
Reaffirming their commitment to peaceful civic engagement, the coalition emphasized that the planned demonstration is focused on securing the future of ordinary Nigerians and ensuring that government policies prioritize citizens’ welfare and security.
The statement concluded with a passionate appeal for national unity and collective action:
“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians. The coalition therefore calls on civil society organizations and progressive groups to unite and mobilize the collective power of Nigerians to demand the release of all captives and oppose anti-people policies of the Tinubu administration that continue to increase poverty. 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.”
As Democracy Day approaches, attention is expected to focus not only on commemorating Nigeria’s democratic journey but also on the growdemandinging calls from citizens and advocacy groups urgent solutions to the country’s security and economic challenges.