CDWR criticises Tinubu’s speech on protests, demands unconditional release of arrested protesters
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has said it considers President Bola Tinubu’s broadcast of Sunday, August 4, 2024 as a “display of arrogance and insensitivity towards the harrowing plight and hardship of Nigerians.”
The group, in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bosah Chinedu, said Tinubu did address the demands of Nigerians put forward by the protesters but used the broadcast to “double down on his failed anti-people reform policies” that have plunged Nigerians into hardship.
More Nigerians have been thrown below the poverty line since Tinubu removed petrol and electricity subsidies and unified the official and black market exchange rate.
The CDWR said, “The ideal expectation from a listening and sensitive president is to reverse all the anti-people reform policies but that did not come from Tinubu, typical of a capitalist leader who fully subscribes to neo-liberal program, as he arrogantly reiterated the continuation of these ruinous anti-people policies.
“President Tinubu speech also ignored the current repression of protesters by the security operatives. Tinubu’s armed police and Secret Service (DSS) have killed over 25 persons across the country while over 200 persons have been arrested and detained. In the wee hours (at about 1:50 am) of August 5, 2024, the repressive Secret Service agents in a Gestapo manner abducted Comrades Michael Adaramoye, Babatunde Oluajo and 2 others in Abuja and have not been allowed access to their lawyers and family members.
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“The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) condemns the ongoing repression and killing being carried out by the Nigerian Police and other security agencies under the watchful eyes and supervision of President Tinubu.
“The right to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of movement including the right to protest has come under renewed attack and suppression in Nigeria culminating in a civilian dictatorship just like during military regimes.”
CDWR demanded the immediate release of Michael Adaramoye aka Lenin, Babatunde Oluajo aka Sankara and all other protesters arrested and detained across the country.
It also commiserated with the families of the injured and those who were killed.
“We appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Bar Association and other pro-masses organisations to openly condemn this ongoing repression of the protesters.
“CDWR at this moment demands the reversal of all anti-people policies including the reversal of petroleum prices to pre-May 2023 level; reversal of electricity tariff to pre-May 2023 rate; an end to the floating and devaluation of the Naira; an end to all neo-liberal and anti-people policies such as privatisation and deregulation of the power and oil & gas sectors; for free and quality education and healthcare; respect for democratic rights to freedom of protest and dissent etc,” it added.