The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of hundreds of #EndBadGovernance protesters arrested and detained across the country. These individuals, including adults and minors, have been charged with treason for participating in protests against the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

Afenifere expressed deep concern over the government's handling of peaceful demonstrations, emphasizing that protesting against poor economic governance is not a crime, let alone treason. In a statement signed by the group’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere warned that such actions could lead the country down a dangerous path toward dictatorship.

The group highlighted that many of the detained protesters are simply exercising their democratic right to express dissatisfaction with economic policies that have worsened inflation, slashed real wages, and caused long fuel queues and energy shortages. Instead of addressing the root causes of the protests, Afenifere noted that the government has resorted to criminalizing dissent, including jailing underage protesters, a move the group condemned as unjust.

Afenifere further criticized the government’s claims that the protesters’ actions amounted to treason, stating that peaceful protests, even when they result in minor incidents of property damage, should be treated as civil disobedience, not treasonous acts. The group urged the government to focus on addressing the legitimate grievances raised by the demonstrators, rather than resorting to authoritarian measures.

The statement also pointed out the economic hardships currently faced by Nigerians, which the group described as being exacerbated by poor policy decisions. It specifically highlighted issues surrounding the premature removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira, both of which have worsened the economic conditions of millions.

Afenifere warned that criminalizing peaceful protests and stifling dissent would only deepen the public’s distrust in the government and called on President Tinubu to learn from history, referencing the dark days of military rule that both Tinubu and Afenifere fought against.

The group concluded by urging the administration to respect the democratic right to protest and to release all detained protesters immediately, warning that Nigeria must not return to a pariah state where dissent is treated as a threat to national security.