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EndBadGovernance protest: Disturbing, Condemnable – Peter Obi, Atiku, Ezekwesili Knock Tinubu Over Arraignment of Minors
…Release All Minors Held For Protesting Now – SERAP, Amnesty International React
Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have knocked President Bola Tinubu’s government over the arraignment of minors who participated in the recent EndBadGovernance protest.
Peter Obi called on the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, the Police and the DSS, as well as the National Human Rights Commission, to thoroughly investigate the inhuman treatment of minors to avert such occurrences in the future.
Recall that 76 persons were arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja for participating in the recent EndBadGovernance protest.
One of the minors arraigned collapsed before the commencement of the trial.
However, in a post on his X handle on Friday, Obi said most of the people in government today leveraged the Constitution, standing as champions of good governance while in opposition.
”He said: ‘I just watched the disturbing and condemnable scenes captured in a circulating video, showing 124 protesters—among them minors—appearing in court today as part of efforts to secure the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
”The footage reveals minors, some so weak that they could barely stand, others fainting from sheer exhaustion and lack of nourishment. These children appeared visibly malnourished and starved—a condition that should alarm the conscience of every citizen in our nation. From their look, they were poorly handled despite being in the custody of the federal government of Nigeria. The offence being alleged against these suspects, including minors, is protesting against bad governance that was directly affecting their livelihood and which our constitution under a democratic dispensation guarantees them.
”Curiously, most of the people in government today leveraged this aspect of the Constitution standing as champions of good governance while in opposition. Moreover, our status presumes that suspects deserve some dignity, even in a correctional home as human beings. The reason why we should all be concerned about a situation like this is because we are part of a global community where human dignity should be respected.
”May I appreciate the presiding lordship for halting the trial and saving the country further embarrassment it would have been to the World as a democratic nation? I would like to call on relevant authorities, especially the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, the Police, and the DSS, as well as the National Human Rights Commission, to thoroughly investigate such inhuman treatment of minors to avert such incidents in the future.”
In the same vein, Atiku on Friday reacted to the disturbing viral videos of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on Friday.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by his media team in Abuja and a corresponding post on his official X account.
Reacting, Atiku lamented that the pitiable sight of the children in the courtroom ”was reminiscent of the infamous Nazi concentration camp.”
The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election also noted that it was an utter violation of Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees that no child should be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury as well as torture and inhuman punishment.
He said, “If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanising conditions they had been subjected to and have been detained all this while.
“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.
“Children who are the most affected by these policies have every right to protest peacefully as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act.
“A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T-Pain.
“The disturbing condition under which the alleged accused children were brought to court projects the very justification for their participation in the protest in the first place.”
More so,former Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to immediately stop the “wicked prosecution” of minors and send them back to their parents and guardians.
Ezekwesili, an Economic and Public Policy Expert and Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, also demanded that adequate compensations should be paid to the minors who have been detained for months for the roles in the August #EndBadGovernance protests.
The former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) warned President Tinubu that no ruler has ever won against their people.
“When those children came out to protest, asking you to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, they were telling you the ‘Truth and nothing but the Truth,’” she said, adding that no one can ever solve a problem they deny exists.
The former Vice President of World Bank’s Africa Region, who took to her X handle, wrote a message addressed to President Tinubu.
She said, “Here is the sordid evidence of the @NigeriaGov punishing your citizens for daring to tell you the truth of #BadGovernance by your administration.
“No one can ever solve a Problem they deny and refuse to own. No one.
“Agitation to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria is shared by overwhelming majority of your citizens. For real.”
She questioned the government’s legal action against the defendants, asking how many Nigerians it can take to court.
She said, “How many of your Citizens can you detain and deprive of their freedoms like done to these minors? Hear me.
“No ruler has ever won against their people forever. Check history. Note that I wrote ruler and not leader.
“The repressive class of politicians in Nigeria are not leaders. You all have serially failed the “test of leadership” because you act as wicked rulers who feel entitled to the “publicly-funded luxurious life” while repressing and pauperizing the citizens.
“Second, @officialABAT, the evident corrupted capture of our Judiciary by the @NigeriaGov is playing out daily on Candid Camera before the eyes of the world.
“The trial of these minors is one of many examples these days.
“Stop the wicked prosecution of these minors immediately and send the children back to their parents and guardians.
“Next, ensure that they are compensated for the physical, mental, emotional and overall psychological damage you have done to them by abusing the powers of the Nigerian State and grossly violating their constitutional rights.”
“I hope you start listening to what majority of your Citizens especially these children are telling you daily: “Ebi npawa”, “we are hungry”.
“Nothing lasts forever. Today is not Forever,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and Amnesty International Nigeria have asked President Bola Tinubu to release all the 75 people arraigned over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
This is as the two bodies condemned the ongoing detention of minors involved in the protests.
Reacting, SERAP took to its official X handle to denounce the detention, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the protesters and drop all charges of ‘treasonable felony’ against them.
“The Tinubu administration must unconditionally release the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters and drop all charges of ‘treasonable felony’ against them, or face legal action. No one should ever be punished for the peaceful exercise of their human rights,” the group tweeted.
It also faulted the government’s actions as an attempt to instil fear, evade scrutiny, deny citizens their fundamental rights, and entrench a culture of impunity in Nigeria.
Corroborating, Amnesty International also denounced the arrest and detention of the minors.
It urged the Nigerian government to release all detained individuals, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional and internationally guaranteed human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. Authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally,” they stated.
Recently, the US government announced that it would give three-month single-entry visas to Nigerian applicants instead of the five-year multiple-entry visa that was the norm.
Although the US embassy in Nigeria initially said its decision was based on reciprocity, it later said the decision was part of a global decision to review its visa processes globally.
However, the Presidency, in a statement by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the US government’s decision was based on the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerians and the need for reliable access to their record.
“The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, the US “further explained that the visa policy adjustment was part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations”.
The presidential spokesman stated that the overstaying of visas by some Nigerians and the US government’s intention to access some records of Nigerian visa applicants, in possession of the Nigerian government, were the major reasons.
“In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.
“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement added.
The presidential spokesman noted that despite the US stance, the Nigerian government had said it would continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas for American applicants.
He also weighed in on the controversy surrounding UAE visas to Nigerians.
“Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy,” he said.
See the full statement below:
ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN VISA ISSUANCE POLICIES BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.
The recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the Federal government. Relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels.
The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records. It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad. The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions.
Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy. However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner.
The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.
The President assures all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s valued bilateral relations with the Governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
BAYO ONANUGA
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information & Strategy)
June 15, 2025
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, made this known at the second Lagos Traffic Conference in commemoration of LASTMA’s Silver Jubilee celebration on Tuesday.
The anniversary had the theme: ”Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations.
“I want to specially recognise the men and women of LASTMA who have dedicated themselves, often under challenging and sometimes perilous circumstances, to the critical task of keeping Lagos moving.
“Your uniform represents the thin yellow line that stands firmly between order and chaos on our roads.
“Your commitment, resilience, and professionalism have been instrumental in transforming Lagos traffic management and ensuring the safety of millions of commuters every day. Thank you for your unwavering service and dedication,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also appreciated the many brave officers who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
He said LASTMA of tomorrow would be a technologically empowered agency, equipped to tackle the complex challenges of 21st-century urban mobility.
The governor added that the government would invest in intelligent transportation systems powered by Artificial Intelligence, automated number plate recognition, and drone surveillance to enhance traffic management and incident response.
Mr Sridhar Uttara, President, Infotran, a U.S. engineering consulting firm, in his keynote speech urged Lagos to build a Unified Mobility Control Centre and expand its Information Technology System on priority corridors.
“There is also the need to train traffic officers in AI and data tools, invest in smart mobility labs and pilot zones, ensure equity and safety in all projects and invest in research and development,” Uttara said.
The Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said the celebration was not for lofty literates but for solutions.
“Officers of LASTMA are on the streets of the state, not only to clear bottlenecks, but also to save lives during accidents, coordinate disaster response and facilitate seamless movement of goods and services.
“LASTMA is not bound to all hurdles before them, which include inadequate growth capacity in the face of urban population growth, driver indiscipline, which remains a key trigger of accidents and congestion, and the consistent right of way among commercial transport operators.
“The most concerning is public apathy towards uniform traffic personnel. These are structural, behavioural and systemic challenges.
“While they are not insurmountable, we still have opportunities, and they are also ongoing interventions under the forward-looking leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“We have made significant strides,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said local solutions to international issues make LASTMA unique.
According to Opeifa, LASTMA remains the master stroke of pubic policy in Nigeria; they are designed to balance enforcement with people’s pride.
Opeifa decried the loss of some officers in the line of duty.
“I know some of the dead officers shown, this is when they were trying to make Apapa safe.
“That is the nature of what LASTMA is, you need to see these men work, suffering just to keep Lagos moving, they should be appreciated,” Opeifa said.
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At least 38 people died last week during demonstrations, rights groups say, marking the deadliest day of protests since the start of youth-led rallies against Ruto.
The demonstrations have shaken the country, and Ruto recently said protesters who engaged in violence “should be shot in the leg”.
Amnesty International’s Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, said the president’s comments were “unlawful”.
“It is extremely dangerous for politicians to instruct police officers… on how to conduct policing during protests,” he said.
Irungu said such orders “would escalate the levels of violence” through “greater conflict between police officers, protesters, bystanders, counter-protesters, and even criminals and bullies”.
Rights groups have previously warned about the presence of armed men during protests and noted reports suggesting that some operate alongside police officers.
Kenyan police have repeatedly denied the allegations.
International criticism has also mounted, with the United Nations urging restraint.
In a report released Tuesday by the Police Reforms Working Group — a coalition of grassroots and national rights groups, including Amnesty — found the recent marches were “marred by state violence, unlawful policing tactics”.
The report said it had documented “the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and unlawful arrests”.
“The evidence points to serious allegations of unlawful conduct and extrajudicial killings by individuals suspected to be police officers,” it said, adding that over 500 civilians and police officers were wounded.
The National Police Service spokesperson told AFP such allegations were part of a “false narrative”.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday said police excesses during protests will be investigated, adding, “There is no law that excuses a police officer to commit crimes or kill people”.
Murkomen also stated that he will issue a policy directive on the use of force and firearms by officers on Friday.
The interior ministry said more than 1,500 people had been arrested during the last two demonstrations, with 71 being handled by the anti-terror unit.
There was widespread looting and vandalism during the protests, with many businesses forced to close and employees remaining home to avoid the violence.
The report noted the protests were responsible for an “economic loss possibly as much as 1.1 billion Kenyan Shillings ($14 million)” but did not elaborate.
AFP
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