Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, and members of the #EndBadGovernance movement on Friday joined other civil society activists in Lagos to protest worsening insecurity, kidnapping, economic hardship and governance failures in Nigeria.
The protesters gathered at the Ikeja Underbridge area of Lagos as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as “No Democracy Without Security,” “End Insecurity and Kidnapping,” “End Bad Governance,” and “Free All Abducted Children, Teachers, Farmers,” among others.
The demonstrators, including members of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, marched through parts of the state, demanding urgent action from the Federal Government over rising violent attacks, mass kidnappings, killings and the worsening economic condition of ordinary Nigerians.
Falana, a longtime advocate for democracy and human rights, joined the protesters in demanding accountability from elected leaders, insisting that democracy must translate into improved welfare and security for citizens.
The protest came amid growing public frustration over security challenges across the country, including bandit attacks, school abductions, insurgency and violent crimes affecting several states.
Nigerians are also battling soaring food prices, inflation, rising transport costs and declining purchasing power following recent economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Friday’s demonstration was organised under the banner of the #EndBadGovernance movement, which gained national attention in 2024 after mobilising protests across several states against hunger, economic hardship and governance failures.
Participants said that while Nigeria was marking 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and the 33rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, many citizens had little to celebrate because of worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
The June 12 election, widely regarded as one of the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was believed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola before it was annulled by the military regime of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
The annulment triggered widespread protests and a prolonged pro-democracy struggle that eventually contributed to Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
However, activists and civil society groups at the Lagos rally argued that the democratic gains secured through the June 12 struggle remain incomplete, citing persistent insecurity, corruption, unemployment, poverty and alleged human rights abuses.
Speaking during the protest, Falz said the country’s security situation had become unbearable, lamenting the rising number of abductions and killings across several states.
“I mean, there’s not much to be said that has not already been said. Apart from the insane corruption and gross mismanagement of our resources, I think everybody can see the worsening insecurity,” he said.
“It’s unbearable now. So many people being kidnapped, being killed daily. And it’s like every day now there’s a new one.”
Falz cited incidents in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and Oyo states, expressing particular concern over abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State who, according to him, had yet to be reunited with their families.
He also referenced the abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin children in Oyo State, noting that they regained freedom within days.
“Up until now, these kids still are not home yet. They haven’t been able to reunite with their families,” he said.
“On the flip side, in the same Oyo State, the former minister Adelabu’s sister was kidnapped along with her twin children. Barely 72 hours after, they found a way to free them.”
The singer accused the authorities of neglecting ordinary citizens, stressing that every Nigerian life deserves equal protection regardless of status or political connection.
“They don’t care about us. They don’t care about ordinary people,” he said.
“But it must be known that no Nigerian life is more important than the other. Every single Nigerian life matters. Every single person must be cared for and protected at all costs.”
Falz called on the government to end the wave of kidnappings and killings, especially attacks targeting schools and students.
“We’re here to say, put an end to these kidnappings, put an end to these killings. Schools are still open. Every single day, students are still being kidnapped. What is going on? This has to stop and this must stop immediately,” he said.
Speaking on the political climate ahead of the next general elections, Falz said public dissatisfaction with the country’s leadership was becoming increasingly clear.
“I can’t predict who’s winning or who is not winning. I think from the general mood, we can see how people are feeling. We can see the discontent, the dissatisfaction with the way that they’ve managed their affairs,” he said.
“They’ve had ample time to show any willingness, any political will to make a difference. But it’s clear that they do not want to.”
Despite his criticism, Falz said he still believes in democracy and urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.
“We are going to go to the ballots to show how we feel. I personally believe in the democratic system. I believe in the democratic process and I’m ready on that day to exercise my franchise,” he added.
The protesters insisted that Democracy Day should not only be about commemoration, but also about confronting the realities of insecurity, hunger, poverty and governance failures affecting millions of Nigerians.
