***Reminds him, he also protested as former member
The Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Electoral Reforms (CODER) has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing deep concern over the detention and trial of prisoners of conscience, journalists, and protesters in Nigeria.
The group in the letter which was signed by it’s chairman high chief Peter Ameh, alleged that the detained individuals have been peacefully advocating for an end to bad governance and seeking a more just and equitable society.
CODER demands the immediate release of these detainees and the dropping of all charges against them.
The organization also called on the administration to address the systemic issues that led to their protests, including corruption.
The letter reads,
Dear President,
“We, as concerned citizens of Nigeria, write to express our outrage and deep concern about the unjust detention and the unfair trial of prisoners of conscience, journalists, and protesters who have been peacefully
advocating for an end to bad governance and seeking a better Nigeria for all citizens.
“Their detention is a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights and a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.
“It is unacceptable that
your administration continues to trample on the rights of citizens who are demanding a more just and equitable society.
“We demand that you take immediate action to release these detainees and drop all charges against them. We also call on your administration to address the systemic issues that led to their protests, including corruption, inequality, and social injustice.
“The continued detention of these individuals is a stain on Nigeria’s democracy and a betrayal of the trust placed in Government as source of
sincere representation.
“We expect a more robust response to these grievances and a commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens.
“The right to protest is a fundamental human right recognized under
various international and regional instruments, United Nations Charter (Article 20): recognizes the right to peaceful assembly and association, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 21): protects
the right to peaceful assembly.
“African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Article 11): recognizes the right to freedom of assembly and association and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(Section 40): guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association and also the combine reading of section 39 and 41.
“These instruments acknowledge the importance of protest as a means of
expressing grievances, promoting accountability, and advocating for change.
“From all indications your administration has failed to respect these principles and authorities in the engagement with peaceful protesters.
“Don’t forget that you were once in their shoes as a young protester who wanted a better country or was it all a pretense to power, Like fake it till you make it?”
