The CLEEN Foundation has called on the Federal Government to listen to Nigerians’ demands for good governance while emphasizing the need to uphold citizens’ right to peaceful protest. Speaking during a CSO-Media briefing in Kaduna, the foundation presented its report on the #EndBadGovernance and hunger protests that swept across Nigeria in 2024.
The foundation’s Program Director, Salaudeen Hashim, described the protests as a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history, stressing that they have set the stage for a new era of civic engagement. He urged the government to safeguard the constitutional rights of Nigerians to demonstrate peacefully, warning that law enforcement agencies must strike a balance between maintaining order and respecting fundamental freedoms.
Hashim criticized the Public Order Act, arguing that its provisions on assemblies and processions could be misused to suppress dissent and restrict free expression. He raised concerns about sections of the Act that grant state governors and police authorities the power to make final decisions without judicial review, warning that such unchecked authority could be abused to silence opposition.
He urged security agencies to adopt a more democratic approach to handling demonstrations, calling for dialogue between law enforcement and protest leaders. According to him, open communication and cooperation would help prevent unnecessary crackdowns and ensure that protests remain peaceful.
Hashim condemned the excessive use of force by security agents in previous demonstrations, citing instances where tear gas and live ammunition were used against unarmed protesters. He recalled that at least 23 demonstrators lost their lives during the #EndBadGovernance protests, with the highest number of casualties recorded in Niger, Kano, and Kaduna states. He insisted that police responses to protests must always be proportional to the situation and should never target peaceful demonstrators.
He further stressed that security agencies must adopt a tiered approach to crowd control, allowing for minimal intervention at the outset and escalating only when absolutely necessary. He maintained that any use of force should be directed at individuals engaging in violence, property destruction, or other criminal activities rather than at peaceful protesters exercising their rights.
The CLEEN Foundation’s report serves as a call to action for Nigerian authorities to rethink their approach to civil demonstrations. It demands that the government and law enforcement agencies respect constitutional provisions on peaceful assembly, ensuring that citizens can express their grievances without fear of intimidation or violence.
