The group accused the Nigerian government of failing to address widespread poverty, insecurity, unemployment, poor healthcare and declining living conditions while devoting resources to suppressing dissent.
The Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement has condemned the teargassing of human rights activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other peaceful protesters during the Democracy Day demonstrations, describing the action as evidence that Nigeria’s democratic values remain under threat despite decades of civilian rule.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Lagos State Coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, popularly known as Scotty Aluta, the movement said there was little justification for celebrating June 12 when citizens exercising their constitutional rights were met with force by security agencies.
According to the group, the police action against demonstrators exposed what it called the hypocrisy behind official Democracy Day celebrations, arguing that democracy cannot thrive where citizens are intimidated for expressing dissatisfaction with governance.
“The brutal teargasing of Omoyele Sowore and other peaceful protesters on Democracy Day is yet another reminder that the Nigerian ruling class has learned nothing from the sacrifices of those who fought and died for democratic freedoms,” the statement read.
