A coalition of Civil Society Organization (CSO) has lampooned the presidency for allegedly mandating the clampdown on peaceful protest on democracy day, declaring their resolve to go ahead not minding the threats.
In a statement jointly signed on Tuesday by Speaker Bright, Coordinator, Takeitback Movement, NorthWest, Peluola Adewale, National Mobilization Officer, Joint Action Front (JAF),Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Comrade Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman, African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos Chapter and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, National Chair, Socialist Workers League, the group asserts that nothing would deter their move.
“Information reaching us as at 10.05 pm is that one of the coordinators of the #WeAreHungry Protests slated for tomorrow 12 June 2024 has been arrested by security agents in Lagos, following series of threats by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to clampdown on peaceful democracy day protest.
“Around 10 pm, Comrade Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the TIB sent distress messages to members of the movement saying he has been arrested and taken to an unknown location. Efforts to reach him have been futile.
“We are not surprised at this strategy of intimidation but the news we have for this tyrannical and ruinous Tinubu regime is that the arrest is rather too late. The veil is off and Nigerians can see through the cluelessness of this government.
“We want to state categorically that the tactics of the Nigeria Security apparatus already mobilized by the Presidency, is too late. Nigerian are not deterred as they have resolved to protest against hardship and nothing shall stop them tomorrow.
“We also want to advise that instead of wasting time on harassment and arrests, the Police should release him immediately as these acts of human rights violation will be heavily resisted now and beyond.
“Our demands, in the midst of the wicked policies of the Tinubu regime, are that hardship must end, gruesome hunger must end, insecurity claiming lives of thousands must end, hike in fees must stop, fuel hike must end etc.
“In conclusion, we again urge Nigeria’s longsuffering people not to concede to threat and intimidation. Protest is an alienable right under a democracy. We shall not relent until victory is achieved.” The statement reads.