A coalition of civil society organisations, trade unions, youth groups, community associations, social movements, faith-based organisations and concerned Nigerians have declared June 12, 2026, as a day of nationwide protest and mass action against worsening insecurity, economic hardship and deteriorating living conditions across the country.
The coalition said the planned protest, which coincides with Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, was aimed at drawing attention to the growing challenges confronting citizens, including insecurity, inflation, poverty and the rising cost of living.
In a statement jointly signed by prominent activists and leaders of various organisations, the coalition lamented that millions of Nigerians had little reason to celebrate Democracy Day as communities across the country continued to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
The statement was signed by National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, Femi Falana; organising committee member of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Hassan Taiwo Soweto; National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin; Organising Secretary of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo; and Secretary of Initiative and Mediation, Zauren Tuntuba da Sasanci and Ali Attahiru.
Others include musician and activist, Falz; Executive Director of the Moses Oisakede Leadership Foundation, Mike Igaga; President of PERESSA, Rufus Olusesan; Segun Oladunni of the Joint Action Front; General Secretary of Socialist Labour, Abiodun Olamosu; Jonathan Ugbal of the Calabar Group of Socialists; and Richard Inoyo of Citizens Solution Network.
Also signatories to the statement were Salako Kayode of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement; Omole Ibukun of the Centre for Creative Change; Adaramoye Michael of the Youth Rights Campaign; and Adewale Ojo, Chairman of CDHR Lagos.
According to the statement, innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatised while government responses to the security crisis have remained inadequate.
The coalition expressed solidarity with families affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping and called for immediate measures to secure the release of citizens currently held captive in several states, including Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger.
“The Nigerian people deserve a government that places the protection of lives and property at the centre of governance,” the coalition stated.
It noted that despite repeated assurances from authorities that insecurity was being addressed, attacks on communities had continued, schools remain under threat, farmers face difficulties accessing their farmlands and major highways still considered unsafe.
