SNWR Condemns Continuous Detention of #EndBadGovernance Protesters

The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) do condemn in totality the ongoing attacks on peaceful protesters and labour leaders by the Federal government.
In a release signed by Daniel Akande, Publicity Secretary of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights, the group frown at the unlawful detention of harmless protesters.

The release read: The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) do condemn in totality the ongoing attacks on peaceful protesters and labour leaders by the Tinubu-APC-led government. We, thereby, call on all the labour and the rank-and-file members of the working class and the students both home and abroad to add their voices in solidarity to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the abducted and arrested protesters and the attacks on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The members of our organization read in dismay that the recent decision by a Federal High Court in Abuja to permit the police to remand 124 #EndBadGovernance protesters for 60 days is a grave violation of constitutional rights and an affront to justice. Of course, this unlawful incident explains critically Fela’s political analysis in one of his songs named “Government Magic” The Tinubu APC-led government will not cease to amaze us – we categorically denounce the high-handedness of the Tinubu government, as well as the actions of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, whose illegal operations continue to erode the rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens.

Our comrades have got the sad information that the Nuhu Ribadu doing the dirty jobs under the instruction of Tinubu, has gotten a remand order without the suspects being provided legal representation—a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law.

We strongly condemn the judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, for granting this unconstitutional order. This action not only undermines the judicial system but also sets a dangerous precedent for the continued abuse of power by the Tinubu administration.

Furthermore, we express our deep concern over the continuous deteriorating health conditions of these individuals, who have been subjected to torture and inhumane conditions by the Nuhu Ribadu NSA, which has continued to detain these protesters at the IRT facility (a known brutal detention facility for the hardened criminals)in Abuja.

We also, unequivocally condemn the harassment of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, who is being unjustly targeted by the Tinubu government. This government has escalated its attacks on the NLC, raiding its secretariat under dubious pretenses and now attempting to implicate its leadership in serious criminal activities, including terrorism financing. This reflected an attempt to silence and intimidate labour leaders is a clear indication of the government’s fear of growing public discontent. The Tinubu-APC-led regime cannot blame Nigerian youths for protesting against its IMF and World Bank-driven capitalist policies, which have perpetuated hunger and mass poverty amidst plenty, all while dubiously labeling everyone as terrorists and citing terrorism financing as part of the offenses. In reality, it is the Nigerian people who should declare the Tinubu-APC government as the true perpetrator of terrorism, given its implementation of these dubious capitalist policies, the continuous borrowing of millions of dollars with nothing to show for it, and the massive looting and profligate lifestyle of politicians, including the purchase of a private jet in the name of the nation—Nigeria.

The Tinubu government’s actions reflect a desperate attempt to stifle dissent and crush any opposition to its neoliberal capitalist agenda, which continues to exert mass hunger and economic hardship.

The SNWR urges all politically conscious individuals, both nationally and internationally, to respond decisively by showing solidarity support, rt, including calling on the Tinubu government to demand their immediate and unconditional release of the detained protesters and also internationally staging a solidarity protest to the Nigeria High Commission and Embassies.
These actions must demand not only the immediate and unconditional release of all the arrested protesters but also, demand and to all the anti-people policies of the Tinubu-APC-led regime be reversed – including the immediate reversal of the fuel subsidy and the revitalization of the existing refineries and commence building new ones, increasing the new approved minimum wage from a paltry 70k to 250,000k, also, to immediately, place all the political office holders on a minimum wage of an average working class. This is the only possible way in which this government can end the possible outbreak of looming protests across the nation.

We, thereby, once again, reiterate the immediate release of all unjustly detained individuals, including Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Angel Innocent and Eleojo Opaluwa, who have been held incommunicado without trial and are now suffering severe health challenges.

The SNWR also calls for a broad meeting of the labour movement, including the labour activists, left activists and socialists, to discuss the urgent need for an alternative program to the prevailing capitalist economic policies. No section of Nigeria’s corrupt capitalist class can be trusted to deliver justice or improve the lives of the working masses. Only through the independent struggle of the working people can we achieve a society that guarantees decent living standards and meets the aspirations of the vast majority.

In light of the government’s ongoing assault on democratic rights, we must remain indefatigable and resolute in our fight against any attempt to establish a de facto civilian dictatorship. The SNWR will continue to stand in solidarity with all oppressed and exploited people in Nigeria, and we will not rest until justice is served and the rights of all citizens are fully restored.