The Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Electoral Reforms (CODER) has demanded the immediate release of all those detained due to the recently held #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

CODER, chaired by Chief Peter Ameh, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, dated September 2, 2024, called on the authorities to address the systemic issues that led to these protests, including corruption, inequality, and social injustice in the country.

The rights group expressed grave concern that protesters who have been peacefully advocating for an end to bad governance and seeking a better Nigeria have been unjustly arrested and detained.

CODER contended that their detention is a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights and a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices in the country.

“It is unacceptable that your administration continues to trample on the rights of citizens who are demanding a more just and equitable society,” it noted.

“The continued detention of these individuals is a stain on Nigeria’s democracy and a betrayal of the trust placed in the government as a 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, along with the combined reading of sections 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 its 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’?”