The Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally requested security support from the Lagos State Police Command for a Democracy Day protest set to take place on June 12. The request was made in a letter dated June 11, addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and signed by key members of the NBA Ikeja Human Rights Committee.
The letter, signed by Chairman Chinyere Udeh, Vice Chairman Joseph Opute, and Secretary Clementina Olaniyan, affirmed that the EndBadGovernance Movement, a coalition of civil society organisations, is leading the protest. It also noted that the organisers had met legal requirements by officially notifying authorities.
“The organisers of the EndBadGovernance Movement have, in full compliance with the law, duly notified your good office of their intention to hold the 12 June commemorative rally,” the letter stated, citing Section 84(4) of the Police Act, which mandates law enforcement to provide security for notified rallies.
The NBA committee called on the police to fulfil their duty of securing the participants, stressing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and association. It argued that the police must uphold these freedoms as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ahead of the protest, the police invited the organisers for a security briefing on June 10 at the State Command headquarters in Ikeja, but the meeting did not take place as the commissioner was occupied elsewhere. A rescheduled meeting was proposed for June 11 at 4 p.m., but the organisers requested a virtual session due to logistical difficulties. The police have yet to confirm the request for a virtual meeting.
The NBA Human Rights Committee reiterated that the rally is a lawful exercise of fundamental rights and urged the police to facilitate security support in accordance with legal provisions.
Meanwhile, the EndBadGovernance Movement insisted the protest would proceed despite what it described as police evasiveness. The group announced plans to mobilise thousands of Nigerians to demand improved democratic governance, economic relief, and social equity. The demonstration is expected to begin at 7:30 a.m. at the underbridge in Ikeja.
Speaking on the protest’s objectives, organising committee member, Hassan Soweto, called for widespread participation. “We urge workers, artisans, youths, students, market men and women, okada riders, the unemployed, and all oppressed Nigerians to join us for the peaceful procession,” he stated.
The movement further accused the police of reneging on an agreement to hold a virtual security discussion. The organisers said they arrived at the command headquarters on June 10 but were informed that the police commissioner was unavailable due to official duties. After waiting for an hour, they agreed with police officials that the meeting would be rescheduled virtually. However, late that night, the police invited them to another in-person meeting on June 11, which they declined.
“We are not averse to meeting with the CP to discuss police protection for the protest, but it must be held virtually as earlier agreed,” Soweto reaffirmed.
Also, Lagos Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that discussions with the organisers were ongoing. He stated that the police were engaging with them to ensure the protest remained peaceful while also ensuring that participants adhered to security protocols aimed at protecting lives and property and preventing disruption by unauthorised individuals.
Hundeyin reaffirmed that security arrangements were in place and encouraged protesters to act responsibly. “Everyone is urged to uphold the peace that the state is currently experiencing,” he emphasised.
The planned protest comes amid growing discontent over economic policies under the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation, which have led to inflation, higher fuel prices, and food insecurity. Labour unions such as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have staged protests over the impact of these policies.
Civil society organisations involved in the demonstration have criticised government decisions they describe as “IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor policies,” calling for economic reforms.
June 12 is recognised in Nigeria as Democracy Day, commemorating the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola. The day was officially designated in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a national holiday to honour democratic struggles.
According to protest organisers, “June 12 itself is historically a day of protest. Everything about the day stands for resistance.” They argue that three decades later, Nigeria has yet to fully realise the democratic aspirations of 1993.
The group has accused the government of enabling corruption, restricting democratic freedoms, and worsening inequality. “Whatever happens, the public should rest assured that the 12 June protest will go on,” they declared.
