Amnesty International, a renowned global human rights organization, has strongly condemned the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, for making threats against peaceful protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance In Nigeria movement.
The organization expressed grave concerns over the government’s stance, emphasizing that such threats undermine fundamental human rights.
The controversy began when Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, issued a warning to Nigerians planning nationwide protests against the ongoing hardship in the country.
Olusegun cautioned potential protesters to avoid taking to the streets, implying that any attempt to disrupt the country would be met with fierce resistance from supporters of President Tinubu.
He stressed that these supporters were prepared to confront and counter any protest efforts aimed at causing chaos.
In response to these threats, Amnesty International issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the Nigerian government’s actions.
The organization highlighted that threatening peaceful protesters is not only unlawful but also represents a blatant violation of the right to freedom of assembly.
This right is enshrined in both international law and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amnesty International’s statement read, “Threatening peaceful protesters is unlawful. It is a clear attack on freedom of assembly — which is guaranteed by international law and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.”
The organization called on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of its citizens to peacefully assemble and express their grievances without fear of intimidation or violence.
The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have gained significant traction as citizens voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of various issues, including economic hardship and governance.
