Ahead of the planned October 1 protest, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for protesters to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law while urging law enforcement agencies to respect their rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, as enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other international legal frameworks.
NHRC Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), emphasized these points at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. In his address, Ojukwu highlighted the importance of peaceful protests in promoting democracy and fostering citizen engagement in governance. He read from an advisory titled Protect the Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association, stressing that peaceful protests are fundamental to democratic participation.
Ojukwu also urged both federal and state governments to ensure a peaceful environment for the October 1 demonstrations, emphasizing the need for protesters to be protected from potential threats posed by counter-protesters or other hostile groups.
“The government should ensure adequate protection for protesters against violence or intimidation and facilitate peaceful assemblies through proper measures,” Ojukwu said. He also called for robust accountability mechanisms to address any human rights violations by law enforcement during protests, including instances of excessive force or unlawful detention.
He continued, “The government must deploy security apparatus to protect both private and public properties as well as the lives of protesters and non-protesters alike, before, during, and after the protests.”
Ojukwu expressed concerns over the handling of previous protests, particularly the August 2024 End Bad Governance Protests, where a crackdown on demonstrators led to loss of life and destruction of property. He criticized the lack of accountability for law enforcement officers involved in these violations, noting that no arrests or prosecutions of the responsible officers have been reported.
“The NHRC is troubled by the charges of treason brought against some protesters from the August protests,” he added, promising that the Commission would continue monitoring the legal proceedings closely.
In his message to protesters, Ojukwu urged them to avoid violence, property destruction, and actions that could harm nation-building efforts. He warned that the damages caused by such acts could result in costly setbacks to societal development.
“Exercise your right to peaceful protest within the legal framework. Be civil and respect the rights of others,” Ojukwu advised. “Work with law enforcement to ensure public safety by conducting yourselves with the highest level of dignity and civility. Refrain from hate speech, divisive rhetoric, and the use of abusive language.”
This statement underscores the NHRC’s commitment to balancing the right to peaceful protest with the need for public order and safety as the nation prepares for the October 1 demonstrations.
