*Calls on Government to Facilitate Dialogue, Address Protesters’ Demands
Nigerians from all walks of life and across various divides came together to participate in peaceful protests aimed at ending bad governance in the country.
The protests, organized under the banner of #EndBadGovernance, saw a massive turnout despite threats and intimidation from the ruling government and its security apparatus.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, commended the courage and resilience of all Nigerians who participated in the protests, both on the streets and through civil disobedience by staying at home. He noted that the situation remained largely peaceful, especially in Lagos and Abuja, with only a few incidents of skirmishes attributed to provocation by security agencies.
Adegboruwa praised the organizers for their maturity and peaceful management of the events, as well as the press for their accurate reporting. He appealed to security and law enforcement agencies to adhere to acceptable standards of handling civil protests to avoid bloodshed or loss of lives, urging them to provide coverage for the peaceful protesters and refrain from provocative actions.
The Senior Advocate called upon the Federal Capital Territory Minister and all Governors who have procured court orders to frustrate the peaceful protests to instead provide transportation assistance to citizens exercising their fundamental rights. He also demanded that the government identify and hold accountable any police or law enforcement officers found culpable of violating the rights of peaceful protesters, particularly in locations where protesters were reported to have been wounded or shot dead.
Adegboruwa urged the protest organizers to continue their peaceful approach and refrain from actions that may lead to violence or a breakdown of law and order. He also stressed the need for the federal and state governments to set up machineries for genuine and meaningful dialogue with the protesters to address the issues raised in their demands, emphasizing that remaining silent and pretending all is well would be a display of leadership insensitivity.
In conclusion, the Senior Advocate called upon Nigerians to continue showing support and solidarity for the peaceful protests as part of the strategy to liberate the country from the hunger, suffering, and bad governance imposed by those elected to better their lives. He affirmed that a united people can never be defeated.
The post “A People United Can Never Be Defeated”: Adegboruwa SAN Urges Solidarity In Fight Against Bad Governance Protests appeared first on Nairalaw.com.
