#ENDBADGOVERNANCE: FREE BORNO 7 NOW!
WE CONDEMN THE PRISON SENTENCE OF 7 ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS BY THE BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT
WE DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL DROPPING OF THE OUTRAGEOUS CHARGES AND RELEASE OF ALL ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTESTERS NATIONWIDE
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) strongly condemns the recent court judgment obtained by the Borno State Government against seven protesters who participated in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest last in August 2024. According to news reports and a statement by Amnesty International, seven youths who took part in the protest were convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the adults, while the underaged are to undergo public flogging and community service. This is a blatant use of the court to attack democratic rights of citizens and to criminalise legitimate protest against hunger and hardship as a result of the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu led APC government. We demand their immediate and unconditional release Protest is a democratic right of citizens and must not be criminalised.
The affected protesters are Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Gajimi Bakura, Muhammed Mustapha Gudusu, Muhammed Mustapha Abbas, Muhammed Kyari Mome, Mohammed Bukar Awana, and Ibrahim Muhammed Babayo. They were accused of forming a WhatsApp group to take up arms against the government. This charge is outrageous and ridiculous. Over the years, Borno State has been a hotbed of terrorist attacks and insecurity, yet many of the arrested terrorists were not only released but were also rehabilitated into society with the tag of ‘repented terrorists. However, the same state is jailing innocent citizens for daring to protest the economic hardship and insecurity prevalent in the state. This is nothing but an attempt to criminalise dissent and protest and scare many Nigerians from protesting the failure of the ruling class. Needless to mention, this trumped-up charge was also included in the on the ongoing trial of the 11 EndBadGovernance protesters by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court Abuja. This shows that the entire ruling class is in agreement with the repression of protesters and is using the court to perpetrate attacks on democratic rights.
We call on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and pro-masses organisations to begin a campaign against the attacks on the democratic rights of Nigerians. The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) demands the dropping of charges against all EndBadGovernance protesters and the release of all protesters in detention centres and prisons. We call for solidarity actions from trade unions and civil society organisations on and before October 9 when the sham trial of Michael Lenin and 10 others is expected to continue at the Federal High Court Abuja.
The struggle to end bad governance needs more effort from Nigerians. We call on the working people and youth to remain steadfast and continue to build mass resistance against anti-poor policies and attacks on democratic rights.
Francis Nwapa
National Secretary
Email: [email protected]