#EndBadGovernance protest: 300 women groups task Tinubu on accountability, good governance

Women’s rights activists from Womanifesto, a coalition of over 300 organizations, gathered to demand accountability and good governance in Nigeria.

They expressed deep concerns over the rising incidence of hunger in the land, high inflation and government inefficiencies in Nigeria, while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s recent broadcast to the nation, which they said inadequately addressed the foregoing concerns.

“We came with high expectations, but the President merely glossed over critical concerns,” Co-Conveners of WOMANIFESTO said in a statement.

The group criticised the government’s failure to ensure citizens’ safety during the protests, highlighting incidents of police violence.

They called for urgent reforms in housing, education, and transparency in food security funding, stating that “the time for accountability is now,” and urging the government to protect peaceful protesters and address systemic injustices.

The Coalition expressed outrage at the government’s failure to protect citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protests, particularly in the light of recent violence against demonstrators.

“Pre-protest announcements by the police warned of potential threats, yet protesters were left vulnerable to violence from those meant to protect them,” a spokesperson stated.

The group described as “harrowing and unacceptable,” disturbing footage of police brutality, including the assault of a man in a wheelchair, saying it underscores the urgent need for accountability.

The coalition criticised Tinubu’s pledge to provide 100,000 housing units over three years, calling it grossly inadequate amidst a housing crisis affecting 25 million Nigerians.

“At this rate, it would take 750 years to house the homeless,” they noted.

They also raised concerns about the rising cost of education, with university fees exceeding N500,000, making it increasingly difficult for families earning the minimum wage of N70,000 to sustain their children’s education.

“We need uniform and moderate tuition fees to prevent a wave of dropouts,” they urged.

While the President announced a release of N570 billion for food security, activists demanded transparency regarding fund allocation and the handling of “security votes” by governors.

“We cannot reform without understanding the depth of our problems,” they emphasized, calling for a reassessment of government policies, particularly regarding subsidy removal and youth unemployment.

They condemned the hijacking of protests, urging the Inspector General of Police to ensure justice for victims while protecting peaceful demonstrators now and in the future.

To address the issues raised, the women put forward the following demands:

1) Accountability for Police Violence: We demand immediate action to hold the police officers involved in the violence against peaceful protesters accountable. There must be a transparent investigation, and those responsible must face the full weight of the law.”

2) Housing Crisis Response: The government must urgently revise its housing strategy to reflect the real needs of Nigerians. We demand an emergency plan to address the housing deficit, with a target to significantly reduce homelessness within a realistic timeframe.

3) Education Reform: We call on the federal and state governments to implement uniform and moderate tuition fees across all public universities to prevent students from dropping out due to financial hardships.

4) Transparency in management of Food Security Funds: The federal government must immediately publish a detailed report on the N570 billion allocated to states for food security and welfare support, including a breakdown of the funds disbursed to each state and the specific uses of these funds.

5) Publication of Security Vote Expenditure: We demand that all State Governors immediately publish detailed accounts of how much they have received in security votes and how these funds have been spent.

6) Justice for Victims of Protest Hijacking: The Inspector General of Police must identify and prosecute those responsible for inciting violence during the protests. Additionally, the manipulation of vulnerable citizens in these conflicts must be thoroughly investigated, with justice served for those exploited.

7) Protection of Peaceful Protesters: The Inspector General of Police must ensure that all ongoing protests are protected, that force is not used against peaceful protesters, and that those causing confusion in the country are brought to order. The police and DSS must also publish the full names of all those arrested during the protests, with a commitment to speedy and fair investigations.

8) Security: More pragmatic and intentional approach towards addressing insecurity, banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria. We stand firm in our commitment to justice and the protection of the rights of all Nigerians. The time for accountability is now, and we will continue to monitor the government’s response to these critical issues.