- Says They’re Political Prisoners
THE SOCIALIST Labour, a labour-oriented civil society group, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those arrested during the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests.
The group also called for the reversal of fuel price hikes as well as the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage across all sectors.
In a statement signed by Dr. James Uanhoro, Dr. Izielen Agbon, Socialist Labour condemned the government’s tactics of shooting, killing, arresting, and jailing peaceful protesters.
The statement, entitled: “Free All #Endsars And #EndbadGovernance Political Prisoners! The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Regime Must Release All Political Prisoners!” reads:
“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime continues its assault on the common people. Parents are losing sleep over school fees. Workers can no longer afford to live in the cities where they work. Rent is becoming unpayable, and fuel price keeps rising. These are the harsh realities that fueled the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“On August 1 2024, democratic Nigerians stood up to defend their right to live in dignity, and the regime responded with violence, arrests, and killings. The police killed many workers and youths and arrested more than 2,000 protesters. After the protests, the government turned to the legal system to exact a heavy price on protesters for exercising their constitutional right to protest. Eleven comrades (Abuja 11) were jailed in Abuja, charged with treason and given stringent bail conditions. Thus far, the police have failed to present any real evidence against the detainees. The government has made itself a laughingstock in the eyes of the Nigerian people. The Abuja 11 are currently out on bail. The court case trial against them will start in Abuja on Friday, November 8, 2024. The government must dismiss all charges against them.
“In addition to the Abuja 11, 75 protesters from Kano (Kano 75) are detained in Kuje Prison without trial. The court case trial against these peaceful protesters will start at 9am, Friday, 1st November, 2024. The government’s tactics of shooting, killing, arresting and jailing peaceful protesters represent a longstanding pattern. Some #EndSARS protesters, arrested in October 2020, remain imprisoned in the gulags for protesting police brutality.
“Socialist Labour demands the unconditional release of all political prisoners, whether #EndSARS or #EndBadGovernance protesters or all those locked up in Kuje Prison and IRT offices in Abuja. The Tinubu regime must reverse the IMF-driven policies that make the common people suffer like never before. We cannot continue to bear the cost of reckless economic experiments.
“We demand the following:
“1. Free all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters.
“2. Dismiss all charges against political prisoners.
“3. End IMF policies: Lower the price of food, rent, and fuel.
“Stand for freedom against repression, speak out, and join the call for justice. The struggle continues until ALL
“POLITICAL PRISONERS are released.
“Free all #EndSARS, #EndBadGovernance & #EndHunger peaceful protesters Now!”
