Civil Society Groups to Monitor Nationwide Protests, Demand Reversal of Fuel Price Hike

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The United Action Front of Civil Society has announced its support for the planned nationwide citizens’ protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, demanding that the government address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians. The group has also called for an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike to ₦167 per liter, criticizing the government’s reliance on palliatives as a corrupt system.

In a statement signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the Coordinating Secretariat, the group expressed alarm at the government’s blame game and blackmail tactics against innocent Nigerians and opposition leaders. They accused the government of being self-serving and hijacked by political traders and state captors, leading to widespread poverty and hopelessness among citizens.

The group noted that President Bola Tinubu, who was once a product of the pro-democracy movement, has become the most culpable president for anti-people and anti-democratic rule. They expressed shock that his administration has deepened the economic hardship and sufferings of Nigerians despite their democratic experience and credentials.

The United Action Front of Civil Society reiterated that civil protest is a constitutional right of Nigerians and a universal democratic tool to negotiate good governance. They warned the government and security agents not to forcefully stop or frustrate the peaceful protest, as this would only expose Nigerian security forces as oppressive and anarchical.

The group has pledged to monitor the protests to ensure compliance with the ethics of civil protest, especially on the side of security agents. They appealed to the government to take urgent actions to address the economic hardships and sufferings of Nigerians, rather than resorting to blackmail and threats.

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