#EndBadGovernance Protests: CSOs Demand Police Reform, Accountability in Protest Crackdown
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s policing approach to mass protests following the heavy-handed response to the 2024 nationwide demonstrations.
The protests, dubbed #EndBadGovernance Movement or Hunger Protests, swept across 35 states from August 1 to August 10, highlighting deep-seated frustrations with governance and economic hardship.
At a one-day Media/CSOs briefing held in Kaduna on Thursday, legal experts and rights advocates emphasized the need for professionalism in handling protests while urging the media to uphold ethical reporting standards.
Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Olufunke Bamikele, decried the manner in which protests are handled in Nigeria, calling for balanced and factual reportage.
“The way protests are handled in this country leaves much to be desired. In this gathering, we are calling on the media to report issues as they are—without embellishment or distortion—to avoid igniting unnecessary tensions. Professionalism is key; reports must reflect the real events while maintaining balance,” she stated.
Bamikele acknowledged the efforts of journalists in covering protests but lamented the frequent attacks on media practitioners. She also noted that the judiciary plays a crucial role, as judges rely on available evidence in making decisions.
“Many times, the public believes the judiciary has compromised, but until you are in such a position, you may not understand the complexities involved. Regardless, every citizen must do the right thing for the nation’s progress,” she added.
Program Director of CLEEN Foundation, Salaudeen Hashim, strongly criticized the conduct of law enforcement agencies, citing excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and attacks on journalists.
“The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in Sections 35 to 40 of the 1999 Constitution. Law enforcement should facilitate protests, not suppress them,” Hashim stated.
He lamented that during the #HungerProtests, security forces allegedly used excessive force, including tear gas and live ammunition, leading to at least 23 confirmed deaths, mostly in northern states such as Niger, Kano, and Kaduna.
Hashim also condemned the continued reliance on the outdated Public Order Act of 1979, arguing that its discretionary powers enable state authorities to stifle dissent.
“The law, as applied, often contradicts constitutional guarantees of free speech and assembly. This is why urgent reforms are needed,” he noted.
Rabiatu Ibrahim, State Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council, emphasized that public servants and law enforcement agencies are legally empowered to maintain order. However, she called for a review of the Public Order Act to ensure that protests are not arbitrarily suppressed.
“We must also focus on public sensitization. The outcome of the #EndSARS protests was different from that of the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, showing that lessons have been learned,” she said.
She urged citizens to exercise their right to protest lawfully, adding that stronger legislation against vandalism would deter destructive actions.
Similarly, Bonet Emmanuel, Executive Director of AID Foundation, stressed the importance of mutual accountability between citizens and the government.
“We must hold ourselves accountable while also demanding accountability from the government. If protests strictly adhere to legal provisions, it becomes difficult for the government to justify repression,” he said.
Emmanuel argued that excessive government crackdowns often exploit legal loopholes created by disorderly protests.
“The #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests ended up shifting focus from their original demands. Instead of discussing SARS or governance reforms, we are now talking about the number of casualties. Citizens must prioritize lawful conduct to prevent authorities from diverting attention from the real issues,” he added.
CSOs reiterated calls for proportionality in law enforcement responses, urging police to engage constructively with protest organizers to prevent clashes.
“Police accountability must be strengthened to prevent abuses. Officers should be equipped with modern tools such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and body cameras linked to the Police C4i system. These cameras must be active during protests, arrests, and checkpoints to ensure transparency and provide an independent record of events,” they recommended.
They further urged the Police Service Commission to enforce disciplinary measures against officers found guilty of misconduct. Without accountability, they warned, public trust in law enforcement would continue to erode, potentially fueling further civil unrest.
#EndBadGovernance Protests: CSOs Demand Police Reform, Accountability in Protest Crackdown
