June 12: Coalition declares nationwide protest against insecurity, hunger, hardship
The coalition of civil society organisations, trade unions, youth groups, community associations, social movements, faith-based groups and concerned Nigerians has declared June 12, 2026, as a day of nationwide protest and mass action against the worsening insecurity, escalating economic hardship, and the continuous deterioration of the living conditions of millions of Nigerians.
The coalition led by human rights lawyer Femi Falana said in a statement on Wednesday, “As Nigeria marks another ‘Democracy Day’, millions of citizens have little to celebrate. Across the country, communities continue to live in fear as terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements operate with alarming impunity. Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatized while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective.
“We express our solidarity with families of victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country. We demand immediate and concrete actions to secure the release of all Nigerians currently held captive by criminal groups in Oyo State, Borno State, Katsina State, Kwara State, Ekiti State, Zamfara State, Kaduna State, Niger State and other parts of the country where citizens have been abducted.
“The Nigerian people deserve a pro-people government that places the protection of lives and property at the core of governance.
“For years, the people have been subjected to repeated assurances that insecurity is being defeated. Yet the killings continue. Communities are attacked, schools are threatened, farmers cannot safely access their farms, highways remain unsafe, and countless families continue to live with the pain of losing loved ones or having relatives in captivity.
“At the same time, the economic situation has become unbearable. The neoliberal policies pursued by the APC administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have resulted in severe hardship for working people and the poor. The removal of fuel subsidy, repeated increases in fuel prices, currency devaluation, rising electricity tariffs and the general commercialization of essential services have pushed millions deeper into poverty.
“Food prices have skyrocketed. Transportation costs have become unbearable. Small and medium-scale businesses are collapsing under the combined burden of expensive fuel, unstable electricity and declining purchasing power. Workers’ wages remain grossly inadequate while inflation continues to erode incomes.
“The nationwide protest on June 12 therefore marks one of a series of actions aimed at compelling the government to take urgent and meaningful steps to address insecurity and reverse anti-poor economic policies that have plunged millions into misery.
“We call on workers, students, traders, artisans, market women, professionals, unemployed youths, community organizations, religious groups, trade unions and all oppressed Nigerians to begin immediate mobilization in their communities, campuses, workplaces and neighborhoods.
“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians. As a result, the coalition calls on civil society organizations and progressive groups to unite to mobilize the collective power of the Nigerian people to demand the release of all captives and oppose the anti-people policies of the Tinubu anti-poor government which is hellbent on dragging the country into the abyss.
“The time has come for Nigerians to speak with one voice and demand security, dignity and a decent standard of living. Enough of the killings. Enough of the kidnappings. Enough of the hunger. Enough of the suffering.”
The statement was signed by Falana (SAN) – National Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB); Folarin Falana (Falz) – rapper, singer and song writer; Hassan Taiwo Soweto – Organizing Committee, #EndbadgovernanceMovement, Lagos; Mike Igaga – Executive Director of Moses Oisakede Leadership Foundation; Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq – Organizing Secretary, Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement (NPFM); Rufus Olusesan – President, Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA); and Segun Oladunni – Joint Action Front (JAF).
Others are Abiodun Olamosu – General Secretary, Socialist Labour; Jonathan Ugbal – Lead, Calabar Group of Socialists; Richard Inoyo – Country Director, Citizens Solution Network; Salako Kayode – Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM); Omole Ibukun – Centre for Creative Change (C4); Adaramoye Michael – National Coordinator, Youth Rights Campaign (YRC); and Adewale Ojo Chairman, Committee For The Defence of Human Right (cdhr) Lagos.
