The Executive Director of a prominent human rights advocacy organisation, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, has berated President Bola Tinubu over his administration’s criminalisation of peaceful protests and sustained attacks on labour leaders in the country.

Nwanguma in a statement captioned “Between peaceful protest and treason”, issued on Wednesday also berated President Tinubu government’s repression of dissent voices, bastardisation of Nigeria’s legislative framework and fear of regime change.

The RULAAC boss who said that the Nigerian government is increasingly responding to protests against corruption, human rights violations, and governance failures, with suspicion and hostility, said “The government equates dissent with treason, framing protesters as threats to national security.”

According to him, “Authorities have increasingly criminalised peaceful protests, portraying them as attempts to undermine state authority. “Activists and protesters are facing charges of treason, sedition, or terrorism, irrespective of the non-violent nature of their demonstrations.”

Nwanguma said “Laws such as the Terrorism Prevention Act, Cyber Crime Act and the Public Order Act are now deployed to clamp down on public gatherings and expressions of dissent, allowing for the designation of protests as “terrorist activities” or acts of betrayal against the state.”

He said “The government often claims that organized protests are meant to achieve regime change or destabilisation. As a result, authorities adopt a preemptive approach, utilizing force and legal maneuvers to suppress dissent.”

“Imagined and real protest leaders, organizers, and associates are frequently targeted with arrest, intimidation, or violence. This serves as a warning to others, reinforcing the idea that speaking out or organizing protests can be construed as a reasonable act.

“The framing of protests as treasonable is aimed at engendering a culture of fear among the populace. It is aimed at intimidating and deterring citizens from voicing dissent or participating in protests, fearing repercussions.

“All these reflect a broader pattern of repressive governance. By equating dissent with treason, the government seeks to stifle civil engagement and suppress calls for accountability and reform, undermining democracy and the protection of human rights.

“The least that could be expected from a president who led, funded, and participated in several protests and unsparingly criticised governments before him is to demonstrate a commitment to upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful protest,” Nwanguma added.