Nigerian government warnings raise fears of upcoming protests

Recent statements by senior Nigerian government officials and security agencies about planned nationwide protests have raised serious concerns. Officials’ rhetoric suggests a worrying willingness to suppress dissent, raising fears of brutal reprisals.

The calls for protests came after recent demonstrations in Kenya against increased taxes on basic necessities and gained traction on social media in Nigeria using the hashtag #EndBadGovernance. The Kenyan protests have morphed into broader demands for government reforms, a sentiment that seems to resonate with many Nigerians who are facing their worst cost-of-living crisis in almost 30 years. By June 2024, inflation in Nigeria had reached 34.19%, with food inflation exceeding 40%.

Organizers of the planned protests, due to begin on August 1, say they aim to address both economic hardship and long-standing systemic problems such as corruption.

Media reports quote President Tinubu and senior administration officials as calling the protests unjustified and politically motivated. The Department of State Services says the protests are aimed at undermining the government and creating conditions for “regime change” and will be used to incite chaos and violence. Similarly, the military has warned that the protests could lead to anarchy and has promised to take proactive measures to maintain control. Police have warned against the protests, suggesting they could be used as a cover to unleash terror.

These preemptive warnings are troubling, especially given the history of Nigerian security forces brutally suppressing peaceful protests. The brutal repression during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, when military and police fired on unarmed protesters, killing at least 12 people, remains fresh in memory. A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the West African Community found that the Nigerian government violated the rights of protesters during the #EndSARS protests.

Instead of undermining the right to protest, the authorities should address the root causes of the protests. They should ensure that protests can take place safely and peacefully, and that people’s basic rights are respected.