The Rescue Movement for New Nigeria has issued a call to President Bola Tinubu to uphold citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.

In a statement made by Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, the National Media Director and Publicity of the group, the organization emphasized this point during an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees on Sunday.

Olorunmagba outlined that the group, also known as Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative, had convened to address the ongoing conflict between the Nigerian government and its citizens, particularly the youth preparing for a nationwide peaceful protest.

The meeting concluded with a strong message to the government, urging it to prioritize addressing critical issues facing the nation such as widespread hunger, unprecedented unemployment, escalating insecurity, rampant kidnapping, and a plummeting currency value.

The group stressed that instead of attempting to suppress citizens’ fundamental rights to protest and self-expression, the government should focus on tackling these pressing challenges.

They highlighted that in a democratic society, the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech are fundamental and must be protected.

Recent actions, however, have raised concerns about increasing intimidation, harassment, and potential suppression of these rights by government agencies.

The Rescue Movement for New Nigeria called on the government to attentively listen to the grievances of its people and respond with concrete and meaningful actions to address their concerns.