A broad coalition of civil society organisations, labour groups, youth movements, community associations and faith-based organisations has announced plans for a nationwide protest on June 12, citing rising insecurity, deepening economic hardship and worsening living conditions across Nigeria.
The coalition said the planned mass action would serve as a platform to demand urgent government intervention on security challenges and economic policies that it claims have pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group said there was little cause for celebration on Democracy Day while many citizens continued to grapple with kidnappings, killings, terrorism and economic difficulties.
Among those who signed the statement are human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB); National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin; and Falz, the rapper and activist.
Others include Hassan Soweto, Yusha’u Yankuzo and Ali Attahiru.
According to the coalition, one of the key objectives of the protest is to press for the immediate release of Nigerians reportedly being held captive in states including Oyo, Borno, Ekiti and Kwara.
The group argued that despite repeated assurances by authorities that security threats were being addressed, attacks on communities, kidnappings and other violent crimes have continued to affect citizens across the country.
“Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatised while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective,” the statement said.
The coalition noted that many communities remain vulnerable to attacks, while farmers face difficulties accessing their farmlands and travellers continue to encounter security risks on major roads.
Beyond security concerns, the organisers criticised several economic reforms introduced under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that they have intensified hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
The statement pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy, repeated increases in petrol prices, currency devaluation, rising electricity tariffs and what it described as the commercialisation of essential public services as factors contributing to growing poverty.
According to the coalition, soaring food prices, higher transportation costs and declining purchasing power have left many households struggling to meet basic needs. It also expressed concern over the challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises, which it said are battling high operating costs driven by expensive fuel and unstable electricity supply.
“Food prices have skyrocketed. Transportation costs have become unbearable. Small and medium-scale businesses are collapsing under the combined burden of expensive fuel, unstable electricity and declining purchasing power,” the statement added.
The organisers called on civil society groups, labour organisations and progressive movements to mobilise citizens for the June 12 demonstrations, describing the protest as a collective effort to demand improved security and economic relief.
“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians,” the coalition stated.
Other leaders backing the planned protest include Mike Igaga, Rufus Olusesan, Segun Oladunni, Abiodun Olamosu, Jonathan Ugbal, Richard Inoyo, Salako Kayode, Omole Ibukun and Adaramoye Michael.
