Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent speech for not addressing the core demands of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana urged the President to take concrete actions in response to the protesters’ calls.
The nationwide broadcast by President Tinubu, delivered amidst ongoing protests that began on August 1, did not sufficiently address the key issues raised by the demonstrators, according to Falana.
The protesters have called for a reinstatement of fuel subsidies, improvements in living standards, cuts in government spending, reductions in electricity tariffs, and solutions to escalating insecurity.
Falana emphasized that addressing corruption within the oil sector and operating government-owned refineries could eliminate the need for fuel subsidies, which currently result from the importation of petroleum products.
He suggested that a positive response to the protesters’ demands might prompt them to reconsider their actions.
Falana said, “If the government takes the fight against corruption to oil dealers and crude oil is processed in government-owned refineries, there will be no basis for fuel subsidy, which is induced by the importation of petroleum products.
“A positive response to the key demands of the youths to review the protesters could make them review their actions. Insensitivity to their demands can only provoke continued action.”
He also commended the protesters for highlighting the plight of millions of Nigerians and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters, asserting that they had not committed any criminal offences.
Falana condemned the repression of peaceful demonstrations and extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the protests.
“We commiserate with the families of the patriots’ peaceful protesters that were killed and call on the Federal and State Governments to set up Commissions of Inquiry, which should include representatives of credible human rights organisations and the NBA to investigate the killings with a view to bringing to justice prosecute the reckless murderers in Police uniform and ensuring that.
“The family members of the deceased should be adequately compensated by the federal government.
“The victims of the barbarous police killings should be identified and celebrated as heroes and heroines of the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden Nigerian people. Participation in peaceful protests should never be criminalised in Nigeria.”
The human rights lawyer called on both federal and state governments to establish Commissions of Inquiry, including representatives from credible human rights organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also advocated for compensation for the families of the deceased and stressed that participation in peaceful protests should not be criminalized in Nigeria.
Falana’s statement underscores the ongoing demand for accountability and meaningful action in response to the widespread public discontent.
