The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, set a clear timeframe within which to critically address grievances of the citizens as against the brazen attempts to suppress protests.
This was as it urged the Federal Government to safeguard the rights of protesters, stressing that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in Nigeria.
CISLAC specifically said that in a democratic setting, every individual should have the right to express their views on government performance, stressing that President Bola Tinubu, himself a product of protest, should understand and respect this right.
According to CISLAC; “Protesters must be protected. This is a democratic right, and the government should ensure their safety. The protests should not be framed along religious, ethnic, and political lines; rather, the government at all levels should listen to and address the genuine concerns of the people”.
These were contained in a statement on Saturday, July 27, 2024 by Mr Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, who also stressed the need for decisive action on resolving pressing issues that included hunger, spiral inflation, unemployment, corruption, insecurity, and the erosion of institutional integrity.
Rafsanjani noted that inflation, unemployment, corruption, and insecurity are critical challenges that need urgent attention of the government and not the hype in propaganda and attempt to suppress protest.
CISLAC particularly noted that integrity of the country’s institutions is in question, thus the urgent need to restore trust and confidence to enable citizens believe in the country once again.
The anti-corruption rights group also called on State and Local governments to leverage their influence to resolve issues constructively, rather than exerting undue pressure on protesters, which could provoke further unrest.
CISLAC further said; “Addressing the issues raised is crucial. The government must set a clear timeframe for resolving these problems instead of merely attempting to halt protests or arresting those who want to protest”.
It specifically warned against military involvement in handling domestic issues, which it noted fall within the responsibility of the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
In the words of CISLAC; “The military should not assume the role of the police in domestic matters. Professionalism and restraint are essential to avoid escalating tensions”.
CISLAC also called on protesters to remain responsible and vigilant against individuals seeking to exploit the protests for negative purposes, saying; “Protesters must remain peaceful and vigilant. The police should protect them and ensure the protest does not escalate due to the actions of those with malicious intentions.
The rights group therefore called for comprehensive measures to address the issues and also stressed the need to allow citizens to freely express their opinions on government actions.
CISLAC said it stands firmly with the citizens in their right to peaceful protest and called on the government to act with urgency and responsibility in addressing the concerns raised by Nigerians.
It also called on governments at both federal and state levels to release those so far arrested for expressing their desire to join peaceful protest for a positive change.
