Human Rights Lawyer Falana Urges Protesters to Reject Calls for Military Coup and Avoid Undemocratic Symbols
Human rights attorney Femi Falana issued a warning on Tuesday to protesters, advising them to steer clear of “undemocratic forces” seeking to exploit the current nationwide hunger protests to push for a military coup, as reported by Channels Television.
Falana’s remarks come in response to some protesters in Kano State who waved Russian flags on Sunday while chanting “We don’t want bad government” in Hausa.
Falana underscored that while the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed by Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, is crucial, protesters must reject any attempt to use their demonstrations to advocate for a military coup or engage in violence. He stated, “It is crucial to distance from undemocratic forces that aim to hijack the peaceful protests for their own agendas, including calls for a military takeover. The use of the Russian flag, known for its support of unconstitutional regimes in Africa, is a severe misuse of the right to protest against the Nigerian government.”
He further warned those advocating for a return to military rule that they risk charges of treasonable felony, under Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act.
Falana also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reconsider neoliberal policies that contribute to widespread poverty and hardship, arguing that addressing these issues would reduce the appeal of unconstitutional changes in government. He suggested that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited should negotiate lower petroleum prices, following the directive for the daily allocation of 445,000 barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.
In late July 2024, President Tinubu instructed the NNPC to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in naira. This measure, announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, aims to stabilize fuel prices and the dollar-naira exchange rate.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, following a National Security Council meeting chaired by the President, emphasized that displaying Russian flags in Nigeria constitutes a “treasonable offence,” and the military will not tolerate such actions.
