The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged the #EndBadGovernance protesters in Nigeria to respond positively to President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue amid ongoing demonstrations.
In a statement released on Monday, ECOWAS expressed profound regret over the violence reported during the protests, which has led to the deaths of some protesters and incidents of looting and property damage.
“The Commission extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expresses sympathy to the Government and people of Nigeria for their losses,” the statement read.
Acknowledging the right of citizens to peaceful protests as guaranteed by the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, ECOWAS stressed the need for peace.
“The Commission welcomes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State of the Nation address delivered on August 4, 2024, and encourages protesters and all stakeholders to heed the President’s call for inclusive dialogue to resolve grievances and maintain peace and security in Nigeria and the wider ECOWAS region,” the statement continued.
President Tinubu had on Sunday addressed the youth protests, which began on August 1, 2024, over economic issues.
He called for a suspension of the rallies and a move towards dialogue, but the protesters have remained firm, arguing that the President has not yet met their demands.
Nigeria is facing severe inflation and economic challenges, worsened by the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates.
The protesters, spurred by social media campaigns, are demanding the restoration of petrol subsidies, a more favorable foreign exchange policy, and solutions to food shortages and unemployment.
They also seek reduced government spending, reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and a renewed effort to combat corruption.
The protests, now in their tenth day, have intensified in various states including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Nasarawa, where some groups have taken advantage of the unrest to burn vehicles and loot warehouses and stores.
Police have reported seven deaths related to the protests but have denied any involvement of their personnel in the fatalities.
Civil society organisations have condemned the use of tear gas by the police to disperse protesters and have called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
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