According to the protesters, the individuals have been subjected to “victimisation, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and state-backed harassment” in what they called a deliberate attempt to silence voices demanding accountability.
A coalition of labour activists and civil society organisations on Wednesday staged a coordinated protest in Ibadan, calling out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what they described as a “dangerous escalation of repression” against critics, workers, and pro-democracy campaigners across Nigeria.
The protesters, drawn from the Federal Workers Forum, Campaign for the Defense of Workers’ Rights, Take It Back Movement, Amílcar Cabral Ideological School, Africa Action Congress (AAC), Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), and several other groups, stormed the Oyo State House of Assembly complex and later the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Ibadan to submit formal petitions demanding an end to state clampdowns.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the activists accused the Tinubu government of systematically using arrests, intimidation, and unlawful detention to gag dissent and crush democratic freedoms.
They cited the repeated targeting of prominent activists, including Andrew Emelieze, Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum; Abiodun Bamgboye, popularly known as Abbey Trotsky and Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights; AAC National Chairman, Omoyele Sowore; activist Michael Adaramoye; 10 other protesters; and the University of Ibadan Three, namely Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin.
According to the protesters, the individuals have been subjected to “victimisation, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and state-backed harassment” in what they called a deliberate attempt to silence voices demanding accountability.
The protest formed part of activities marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day.
At the Oyo Assembly, the petitioners demanded legislative intervention to halt what they described as creeping authoritarianism. At the NHRC, their delegation was received by the Commission’s Director, Barrister Ogundele, who listened to their complaints and acknowledged receipt of their petition.
The groups condemned the Federal Government’s use of the Cybercrime Act as a political weapon, accusing authorities of twisting the law to criminalise criticism and clamp down on online speech.
“No government has the right to punish dissent or criminalise legitimate criticism,” the coalition said.
Their demands include: Immediate end to the political persecution of Andrew Emelieze, Abbey Trotsky, Omoyele Sowore, Adaramoye Michael, and all other activists; unconditional release of all political detainees; and respect for workers’ rights and payment of outstanding wage awards.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comrade Ayo Ogundele, General Secretary of the Federal Workers Forum, said the Tinubu-led government must stop “governing by fear” and respect the democratic rights of citizens.
“We stand firm in defending democracy, human rights, and the voices of ordinary Nigerians,” the statement added.
“The struggle continues.”