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BREAKING: Femi Falana, Others Announce Date for Nationwide Protest Over Insecurity, Hunger
A nationwide protest has been scheduled for June 12 against worsening national insecurity, severe economic hardship, and a sharp drop in living standards across the federation.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has partnered with 16 civil society organizations to lead the mass mobilization.
The coalition—comprising trade unions, youth groups, social movements, and faith-based organizations—noted that the demonstration is timed to coincide with Nigeria’s annual Democracy Day.
Recall that the date was designated by the federal government to honor Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
According to the organizers, widespread administrative failures leave ordinary citizens with nothing to celebrate on this anniversary.
A joint statement signed by Falana in his capacity as National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), alongside Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the Lagos State #EndBadGovernance Movement and Yinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), expressed deep concern over the expansion of insecurity in the country.
The leaders observed that entire communities are currently subjected to continuous trauma from unpunished banditry, terrorism, and mass abductions.
“Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatized while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective. We express solidarity with families of victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country. We demand immediate and concrete action to secure the release of all Nigerians held captive by criminal groups in Oyo, Borno, Katsina, Kwara, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and other states where citizens have been abducted. The Nigerian people deserve a pro-people government that places protection of lives and property at the core of governance.”
The organizers criticized official security narratives, arguing that promises of safety have been consistently contradicted by the realities faced by rural farmers, commuters, and schoolchildren.
The declaration attributed the country’s severe economic crisis directly to the neoliberal policies introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The statement detailed the negative impacts of currency devaluation, electricity tariff increases, and the removal of the petroleum subsidy, noting that these measures have triggered historic food inflation and crippled small businesses despite increased statutory allocations to state governments.
Characterizing the upcoming June 12 demonstration as the initial stage of a prolonged series of public actions, the leaders urged widespread citizen participation. They called on workers, market women, unemployed youth, students, and professionals to coordinate grassroots mobilization efforts within their respective neighborhoods and workplaces to demand an immediate policy reversal.
“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians. The coalition therefore calls on civil society organizations and progressive groups to unite and mobilize the collective power of Nigerians to demand the release of all captives and oppose anti-people policies of the Tinubu administration that continue to increase poverty. The time has come for Nigerians to speak with one voice and demand security, dignity and a decent standard of living. Enough of the killings. Enough of the kidnappings. Enough of the hunger. Enough of the suffering.”
The Nigerian delegation attending the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva is in mourning due to the passing of prominent labour leader Domingo Michael Adeleke.
Adeleke, who was serving as the Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), reportedly died on Tuesday in Geneva after a brief illness. While participating in the conference, he fell ill and required medical attention, but unfortunately, he did not survive. His contributions to the labour movement will be remembered during this difficult time.
The incident was confirmed by an official of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who described him as a committed trade unionist devoted to workers’ welfare.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the entire trade union movement in Nigeria, especially the 2026 Workers’ Delegates to the International Labour Conference, announce the passing of Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke, who died today in Geneva after a brief illness while attending the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference,” the official said.
A member of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Adeleke led the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council, where he was actively involved in labour advocacy and workers’ welfare initiatives.
According to the NLC, he remained committed throughout his career to promoting decent work and social justice.
“Comrade Domingo was a committed trade unionist whose dedication to Nigerian workers and the struggle for decent work took him to the global stage right to the end.
“His loss is felt deeply by all who knew him and worked alongside him,” the official added.
The NLC also confirmed that its leadership had visited the hospital where his remains are being kept and had begun arrangements for repatriation.
“The NLC leadership earlier today went to the hospital to see his body in solidarity, mourn his passing, and begin the process of arranging the necessary procedures,” the official said.
His death has cast a shadow over Nigeria’s participation in the ongoing International Labour Conference, which brings together governments, employers, and workers’ representatives from across the world to deliberate on labour and employment issues.
Tributes have continued to pour in from labour leaders and colleagues who described Adeleke as a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and welfare.
The NLC extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and the wider labour movement, describing his passing as a major loss.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the NLC family and all comrades across Lagos State. May his soul rest in peace, and may his commitment to workers’ rights continue to inspire us,” the Congress said.
Adeleke is remembered by colleagues as a dedicated labour activist who spent much of his career advancing public service and protecting the interests of Nigerian workers.
Tension and sorrow have gripped the Iluke Bunu community in Kogi State following a deadly bandit attack that reportedly claimed the life of the Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Iluke.
According to reports, the victim, identified as Mr. Gani Anifowose, was brutally killed on Wednesday morning during an attack carried out by armed bandits.
Residents said the community is currently facing heightened security concerns, with fear and panic spreading across the area.
In another disturbing development, reports indicate that students from three neighbouring communities, who were scheduled to sit for the English Language WAEC examination on the same day, were allegedly abducted amid the worsening insecurity in the region.
The incidents have raised fresh concerns over the safety of students, teachers, and residents in vulnerable communities across Kogi State.
A representative of the community association called on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intensify efforts to restore peace, secure the affected communities, and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
“An hour is gone and no sign of rescue efforts from the security agencies despite placing several calls for help. We urge citizens to remain calm and continue praying for divine intervention, protection, and lasting peace in our communities.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly stepped up its investigation into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to a report by Premium Times, the anti-graft agency has begun efforts to locate the former minister after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations issued in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The publication reported that sources familiar with the matter said the ICPC had invited Nnaji for questioning through different channels, including telephone calls, emails and WhatsApp messages, but he did not appear before investigators.
One of the sources quoted by the newspaper claimed that the commission could declare the former minister wanted if attempts to secure his appearance are unsuccessful.
The latest development is said to be part of an investigation that followed a lengthy inquiry by Premium Times into Nnaji’s academic records and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documents.
The newspaper had earlier alleged that the former minister submitted forged degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
According to the report, the ICPC has also sought information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as part of its investigation.
Another source cited by Premium Times alleged that Nnaji’s failure to respond to the invitations may be linked to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.
The newspaper recently reported that the former minister moved from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later emerged as its governorship candidate.
Neither Nnaji nor his media aide, Robert Ngwu, had publicly responded to the latest allegations as of the time of filing this report. Premium Times said calls and messages sent to his spokesperson were not answered.
The controversy surrounding the former minister began after investigations into his academic qualifications were published in 2023.
According to the newspaper, Nnaji had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in a bid to stop the release of his academic records by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
However, Premium Times reported that university authorities later informed the newspaper that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution, he did not graduate or obtain the certificate attributed to him.
The publication also stated that the National Youth Service Corps disowned the discharge certificate allegedly presented by the former minister.
Nnaji eventually resigned from his position shortly after the allegations became public.
The matter has continued to attract public attention, with several lawyers and civil society groups calling for a thorough investigation and, where necessary, prosecution in line with the law.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA also reported earlier this year that an investigative panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education examined the matter as part of a broader review of the allegations surrounding the former minister’s credentials.
The ICPC has yet to release an official public statement detailing the current status of its investigation
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