#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: CISLAC condemns hijacking of protests, blames govt

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged for the safeguarding of demonstrators as worries grow that certain protests are being co-opted by criminal groups and political figures with harmful motives.

In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of CISLAC, denounced the takeover of peaceful protests in various locations.

While advocating for the safety of protesters, he also emphasized the importance of refraining from vandalizing property and public facilities.

Musa voiced significant alarm regarding the worsening security landscape and the impact of non-state actors across multiple states, including Kano.

He noted that the analysis from CISLAC’s situation room revealed that security forces were being swayed by political influences stemming from local rivalries, which resulted in insufficient safeguarding of nonviolent demonstrators.

The originally peaceful protests by Nigerians, aimed at voicing legitimate concerns, have sadly been taken over and transformed into violent disorder.

He stated that criminal elements are taking advantage of these demonstrations to incite further turmoil and jeopardize public safety.

The head of CISLAC stressed the importance for the government to avoid politicizing security efforts, especially in Kano, and to focus on ensuring the safety of lives and property. He added that the current violence and destruction contradict the original intentions of those protesting peacefully.

Musa denounced the inflammatory remarks made by public officials, which he believes have intensified tensions and fueled further unrest.

He warned that such reckless statements could provoke Nigerians to take to the streets. According to him, these comments undermine the validity of the protesters’ grievances and should be avoided.

He also criticized the government’s alleged support for counter-protests intended to discredit legitimate demonstrations.

Musa pointed out that the government’s actions have put peaceful protesters at risk, resulting in attacks and disruptions by thugs and non-state actors.

He mentioned that CISLAC had previously urged the government to safeguard peaceful demonstrators, suggesting that effective implementation of this protection could have averted the current turmoil.

We have noticed concerning developments and strongly encourage sincere demonstrators to maintain peaceful protests in order to thwart any attempts by criminals to take advantage of the circumstances.

We call on all Nigerians to refrain from engaging in violence, crime, or political turmoil. According to Musa, the protests aimed at addressing valid issues should not be associated with unlawful behavior and aggression.

He emphasized that CISLAC is dedicated to championing the protection of citizens’ rights and ensuring their voices are expressed safely and peacefully.