Beginning on August 1, 2024, thousands of Nigerians took to the streets, taking part in a nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. Protesters either converged at specific locations or walked through streets in major cities across the country, expressing their dissatisfaction with the pervasive corruption and inefficiencies in the government as well as the design and implementation of several policies and programs that have caused severe economic hardships and insecurity. The protests escalated by the second day as reports of high-handedness and severe human rights violations began to surface.
Across states of the federation, security personnel tried to disperse protesters using excessive force, tear gas, mass arrests and detentions, and so forth. The tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition used against peaceful demonstrators resulted in numerous injuries and, tragically, several fatalities. Additionally, there were numerous reports of unlawful detentions, where protesters and journalists were held without charge or legal representation, in clear violation of both Nigerian and international human rights laws. These crackdowns not only infringed on the right to peaceful assembly but also breached legal protections for fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Spaces for Change|S4C’s press release, released on August 1, condemned the state’s response to the protests in very strong terms. S4C slammed the government’s heavy-handed tactics and demanded immediate measures to ensure the safety of all protesters. The statement urged the Nigerian authorities to release all persons arrested in connection with the protests and respect the constitutionally-protected fundamental human rights that undergird civic participation such as the right to free expression, peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression.
The #EndBadGovernance protests and the ensuing human rights abuses serve as a stark reminder of the fragile state of democratic freedoms in Nigeria. As the nation grapples with these issues, Spaces for Change’s call for accountability remains a bold step towards the pursuit of justice and restraining state actors from taking actions that further shrink the civic space.
