The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice ANEEJ has endorsed the planned nationwide protests in Nigeria but wants protesters to focus on Issues, not violence.
The Network says given the biting effects of economic hardship which has precipitated suffering amongst ordinary Nigerians, the move is necessary to draw government’s attention to the untold hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ, David Ugolor, in a statement released to newsmen described the current situation in the country as unbearable and urged the government to do the needful to improve governance and alleviate the plight of suffering Nigerians to save the country from imminent collapse.
“We wholeheartedly endorse the planned protest as a constitutional right of our people to ventilate their grievances and raise their voices against bad governance.
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We however urge protesters to avoid violence, looting and destruction of property. The focus should be on the key issues and the National demands.”
Continuing, said “protesting is not just a right; it is a powerful tool for societal change which,”allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustice and actively participate in the democratic process.
Protests as a right, he said, is enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
