Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on 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.

It 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.

The group 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.

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 tensions 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.

For instance, despite a pre-notice letter from the protest organizers to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Minister has strongly refused to grant permission for the use of Eagle Square, a public space, for their peaceful demonstrations.

Similarly, in a meeting with lawyers and representatives of the protest-organizing groups, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) refused to approve the venues chosen by them for their march, insisting that their protests must be confined to restricted spaces.

Yesterday, the Lagos State Government obtained a court order limiting protesters to only two designated centers in the state: Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota and Freedom Park at Ketu, Lagos State.

According to the CAPPA statement, “such exploitation of the judiciary to obtain draconian rulings aimed at suppressing legitimate dissent and diminishing the rights of citizens to demand accountability from their elected representatives make a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy”

“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.