…As Tear Gas, Arrests Mar Nationwide Protest Over Economic Hardship and Repressive Laws
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has boldly affirmed that every Nigerian—particularly the youth—has the constitutional right to peaceful protest. His statement comes at a time when nationwide demonstrations are being met with tear gas, arrests, and a heavy-handed security response.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during an interview with Vanguard, the minister addressed the escalating crackdown on demonstrators, activists, and journalists. He emphasized that protest is a legitimate tool in any democratic society.
> “Everyone has the right to protest. In fact, if I had the time, I would join the protest myself. There is freedom of expression for all. The young people who are protesting have valid reasons—they see issues and want to be heard,” Olawande said.
He called on protesters to remain peaceful and urged security agencies to show restraint, adding that protests must not be allowed to devolve into chaos or destruction.
> “Yes, you have the right to speak, to come out and make your voice heard—even to stand by the roadside—but do not block roads or destroy infrastructure. Find a peaceful way to express your concerns. People will listen,” he added.
Olawande’s statement stood in stark contrast to events unfolding simultaneously on the streets of Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities.
Earlier on Monday, SaharaReporters documented how a peaceful protest in the Federal Capital Territory was violently disrupted by security operatives. The demonstrators—many of them young Nigerians—had gathered to demand relief from economic hardship, a review of the controversial Cybercrime Act, and an end to the political crisis in Rivers State, which they described as a “state of emergency.”
Carrying placards with messages like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe”, the crowd was forcefully dispersed by security agents who fired tear gas canisters into the air. What started as a peaceful expression of civil dissent quickly descended into chaos, as protesters ran for safety, with several sustaining injuries in the stampede.
Among those arrested were well-known activist Bosede Imanah and popular social critic, Flagboy. Eyewitnesses confirmed the arrests were carried out violently, with little provocation.
Prominent human rights advocate and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was also present at the protest, standing firmly in solidarity with the demonstrators. His presence lent significant weight to the movement, further spotlighting the government’s growing intolerance for dissent.
Similar scenes of unrest played out in Port Harcourt, where peaceful demonstrators also faced tear gas and intimidation.
The protests were spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society organizations. They vowed not to back down, declaring April 7 as a day of nationwide resistance against what they called “the authoritarianism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, abuse of human rights, and misuse of the Cybercrime Act.”
The events of Monday have ignited fresh debates over freedom of speech, government accountability, and the limits of civic engagement in Nigeria.
As tensions rise, Minister Olawande’s words stand as both a reassurance and a challenge—reassurance that the right to protest is recognized at the highest levels, and a challenge to the government and security forces to match those words with actions that uphold the spirit of democracy.
PIONEER NEWS 