In response to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged the government on Thursday to engage with the demonstrators expressing their dissatisfaction.

The protests, driven by frustration over pervasive poverty and the soaring cost of living, have mobilized Nigerians across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take to the streets.

Despite court orders attempting to limit the protests in certain areas, participants continue to demand a reversal of specific government policies. In an interview with Channels Television, Falana stressed the importance of avoiding the use of youths to counter peaceful demonstrations and condemned the involvement of traditional leaders and emergency agencies in efforts to quell the protests.

“We must refrain from mobilizing individuals to disrupt rallies and from using traditional rulers and emergency organizations to withdraw from the protests,” Falana remarked. “The government must start identifying those who are genuinely aggrieved and engage with them to address their concerns, providing them with a sense of belonging.”

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also encouraged security agencies to maintain open lines of communication and cooperation with the protesters after being appropriately informed about the demonstrations. The nationwide protests, which began on Thursday, August 1, 2024, are scheduled to continue until August 10, encompassing regions throughout the country, including Abuja.

These demonstrations occur amid significant economic challenges, characterized by escalating prices for food and essential goods, exacerbated by the government’s recent actions regarding petrol subsidy removal and the unification of forex rates.

Security forces, including the police, military, and Department of State Services, have issued warnings against demonstrations similar to those in Kenya. Some politicians fear that the protests could mirror the intensity of the EndSARS movement in October 2020, but the youth-led protests remain steadfast in their demands.