By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The coalition of civil society organizations, trade unions, youth groups, community associations, social movements, faith-based groups and concerned Nigerians in the early hours on Friday, stormed Ikeja area, Lagos to stage a peaceful protest against insecurity, economic woos in the country as part of the celebrations marking Democracy Day and 34 anniversary of June 12, 1993 anniversary.

The coalition of civil society organizations in a simultaneous nationwide protest are protesting against what they called “the worsening insecurity, escalating economic hardship, and the continuous deterioration of the living conditions of millions of Nigerians.”

According to the coalition, as Nigeria marks another “Democracy Day”, millions of citizens have little to celebrate, stressing that across the country, communities continue to live in fear as terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements operate with alarming impunity. Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatized while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective.

Members of the coalition, numbering hundreds, spotting white shirts, with inscription tried: “June 12 Better Days Ahead for Nigeria,” converged at Under Bridge, Ikeja, marching through Obafemi Awolowo Way to Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, chanting solidarity and anti-government slogans amid tight security personnel.

Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, National Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Organizing Committee, #EndbadgovernanceMovement, Lagos state, Yinka Folarin, National President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yusha’ Yankuzo, Esq, Organizing Secretary, Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, NPFM, Ali Attahiru, Secretary, Initiative and Mediation, Zauren Tuntuba da Sasanci, and Folarin Falana, son of Lagos based Lawyer Falana, popularly called Falz, Rapper, Singer and Song writer, led others in the peaceful protest.