Speaking shortly after a court session for the trial of the #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, the activists warned that Nigerian youths are getting better organised.
Human rights activists Omoyele Sowore and Marshal Abubakar have condemned the prosecution of peaceful #EndBadGovernance demonstrators, describing it as a violation of their rights.
Speaking shortly after a court session for the trial of the #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, the activists warned that Nigerian youths are getting better organised.
Sowore said, “The young people of Nigeria are getting better organised, bolder, and they are going to confront their oppressors,” warning that nobody is afraid of being prosecuted.
He emphasised that protests would continue in the country, with police officers potentially joining in to demand their rights.
“The next protest will also include police officers anyway,” he said. “We are fighting for their pensions and gratuity, so that protest will be bigger than the last one.”
Sowore voiced his frustration with the prosecution, describing it as a waste of time and pointing to the many cases filed against him simply for advocating a better society.
“Has it stopped me? No, it’s a waste of time,” he said.
The activists called for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to withdraw the charges against the protesters, citing the promise made to do so.
On his part, Abubakar, a human rights lawyer, expressed disappointment that the AGF allowed the injustice to persist.
“Where is equity in charging persons whose only sin is demanding a better country?” he asked. “Where is justice in charging Nigerians who only asked that the welfare of the people be prioritised?”
Abubakar cited Section 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to dissent and criticise government policies.
“Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees the rights of every Nigerian to dissent, to disagree with the policies of the government at any time at any stage,” he said.
“So no Nigerian should be hounded, harassed or brought to court on account of simply complying with the constitutional provision.”
Abubakar further argued that the prosecution was not only unjust but also incompetent.
“This charge is incompetent, this charge is wrong, this charge is oppressive and this charge should go,” he said. “That is our simple demand before the next adjourned date.”
The activists’ comments come amid growing concerns about the government’s response to peaceful protests.
Abubakar also emphasised the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to express themselves.
“Making legitimate demands by the people through or from the government is a right,” he insisted, noting that President Bola Tinubu and his associates were the biggest beneficiaries of protests in Nigeria.
