RSM Press Statement: Drop All Charges against All End Bad Governance Protesters Now

PRESS STATEMENT

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DROP ALL   CHARGES AGAINST ALL END BAD GOVERNANCE PROTESTERS NOW

PROTEST IS NOT A CRIME – BAD GOVERNANCE IS!

REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALIST MOVEMENT (RSM) condemns the recent court judgment obtained by the Borno State Government against seven protesters who participated in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, which took place last year, August 2024. According to information reaching us, seven Borno state youths who participated in the protest were convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, while the underage among them are subjected to public flogging and community service.

This judgment is a direct attack on the fundamental rights of citizens to assemble, speak, and protest against injustice. It reflects the growing authoritarianism of the Nigerian ruling class, which increasingly uses the judiciary and security forces to silence dissent and shield those responsible for mass suffering and failed governance.

To us in the Revolutionary Socialist Movement, this judgment is purely an attack on the democratic rights of citizens and a way to criminalise protest. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. Protest is a democratic right of citizens and must not be criminalised.

We stand in solidarity with the courageous youths and working people who participated in the End Bad Governance protest. Their actions were both legal and legitimate. They exercised their constitutional right to demand accountability, better living conditions, and an end to the corruption, repression, and poverty imposed by the capitalist ruling elite.

According to the news, the affected protesters are Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Gajimi Bakura, Muhammed Mustapha Gudusu, Muhammed Mustapha Abbas, Muhammed Kyari Mome, Mohammed Bukar Awana, and Ibrahim Muhammed Babayo. They were accused of forming a WhatsApp group to take up arms against the government.

To us, this charge is funny and ridiculous because this is coming from a State that has witnessed the highest terrorist attacks. Even when many of those terrorists were arrested, they were still being released to the community, all in the name of repentant terrorists and rehabilitation. As we now see, the same state is now jailing innocent citizens for daring to protest the economic hardship that made life difficult for them.

We want to reiterate that this sham trial and kangaroo judgment is an attempt to criminalise protest and stop many Nigerians from protesting the failure of the Government. As we speak, this same sham trial is ongoing against Abuja 11, and if care is not taken may end up like the case of this Borno state if not rejected and condemned by all and sundry, the Federal Government at the Federal High Court Abuja is about to commit the same crime against humanity. This shows that the entire ruling class is in agreement with the repression and persecution of protesters.

We demand the immediate release and dropping of all charges against all arrested and convicted protesters. End to the harassment, surveillance, and criminalization of activists and dissenting voices.

Respect for the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and international the same government that has failed to provide jobs, security, electricity, education, and health care, now turns around to criminalize those who demand these basic rights. This is unacceptable. We ask: who should be on trial — the protesters or the corrupt politicians looting public funds and leaving the people in misery?

This ruling must not stand. We demand immediate reversal of the Borno State court judgment against the End Bad Governance protesters.

The Revolutionary Socialist Movement warns that the continued repression of democratic rights will only fuel deeper anger and resistance among the masses. Instead of jailing protesters, the government should be addressing the root causes of protests: poverty, unemployment, police brutality, and corruption.

We call on trade unions, student groups, human rights organizations, and civil society to speak out and take action, and join us in this struggle against the bad governance and end all the anti-people policies of the Tinubu-led government.

Nigerians need to come together and build a mass working people’s alternative to wrest power from the present capitalist politicians who are presently in power, that is responsible for our present misery. It is only when the people fight for a socialist reconstruction of Nigeria that we can all end bad governance and put in place a pro-people working government, where the abundant human and natural resources are used for the benefit of all and not bourgeois capitalist politicians

An injury to one is an injury to all!

We say:
Protest is not a crime!
End the criminalization of dissent!
Free all End Bad Governance protesters now!

Issued by:

Secretary
Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM)