Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to cease its repression of peaceful protestors involved in nationwide demonstrations against economic hardships and governance issues. These protests, dubbed #FearlessOctober, saw security forces deploying tear gas and arresting demonstrators on October 1.
In Nigeria’s capital, five protest organizers from Kano were reportedly detained, lacking access to legal representation. The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, emphasized the need for the government to address the underlying issues prompting these protests, such as rising costs of living and widespread poverty. Sanusi highlighted that millions are struggling with fundamental needs like food, healthcare, and education amidst persistent allegations of corruption and governmental mismanagement. Despite governmental pledges, these issues have not been resolved.
The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and supported by international documents, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
President Bola Tinubu, addressing the nation on its 64th Independence anniversary, acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigerians, exacerbated by a series of factors including historical colonization impacts, a coronavirus-induced recession, and recent police actions. Inflation, particularly on food, is noted by Amnesty International to have reached 36%, with recent policy changes, including the removal of a longstanding fuel subsidy, contributing to this economic instability.
The protest action continues the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, initiated to tackle corruption and economic instability. The “10 Days of Rage,” beginning on July 29, led to numerous arrests and casualties among protestors. The previous agreement on a minimum wage increase for government workers to 70,000 Naira (approximately US$42) falls short of labor union demands and fails to sufficiently alleviate the financial pressures faced by Nigeria’s working class.
Further coverage of these ongoing protests and their implications can be found on JURIST.