A coalition of civil society organisations, trade unions, youth groups, community associations, social movements, and faith-based organisations has declared June 12, 2026, a day of nationwide protest against worsening insecurity, rising economic hardship, and the declining living conditions of millions of Nigerians.

The declaration was contained in a statement jointly signed by prominent human rights lawyer and National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCB), Femi Falana (SAN); National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yinka Folarin; and Hassan Soweto of the #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos State.

Other signatories include popular Nigerian rapper and activist Falz (Folarin Falana), Organising Secretary of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, Yusha’u Yankuzo; Secretary of Initiative and Mediation, Zauren Tuntuba da Sasanci, Ali Attahiru; and several labour and civil society leaders across the country.

According to the coalition, there is little cause for celebration on Democracy Day as many Nigerians continue to live in fear of attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.

The group noted that several states, including Oyo, Borno, Ekiti, and Kwara, have witnessed increasing cases of abductions, killings, and other violent crimes, while many citizens remain in captivity.

“Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced, and traumatised while government responses have remained largely inadequate and ineffective,” the statement said.

The coalition argued that despite repeated assurances from government authorities that insecurity is being addressed, communities continue to suffer attacks, schools remain under threat, farmers are unable to access their farmlands safely, and major highways remain dangerous for travelers.

“The Nigerian people deserve a government that places the protection of lives and property at the centre of governance,” the statement added.

Beyond security concerns, the coalition also criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing the removal of fuel subsidies, rising fuel prices, currency devaluation, increased electricity tariffs, and the commercialisation of essential public services as factors worsening poverty across the country.

The group stated that despite increased statutory allocations to federal, state, and local governments, many Nigerians are struggling to survive due to soaring food prices, rising transportation costs, and declining purchasing power.

“Small and medium-scale businesses are collapsing under the combined burden of expensive fuel, unstable electricity supply, and weak consumer demand. Workers’ wages remain inadequate while inflation continues to erode incomes,” the statement noted.

The coalition called on Nigerians from all walks of life to participate in the June 12 protest to demand the immediate release of all captives and push for policies that would address insecurity and improve living conditions.

“This protest is about the lives of our children and teachers in captivity. It is about the collective survival of ordinary Nigerians,” the coalition said.

Other leaders supporting the planned protest include Mike Igaga of the Moses Oisakede Leadership Foundation, Rufus Olusesan of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, Segun Oladunni of the Joint Action Front, Abiodun Olamosu of Socialist Labour, Jonathan Ugbal of the Calabar Group of Socialists, Richard Inoyo of Citizens Solution Network, Salako Kayode of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement, Omole Ibukun of the Centre for Creative Change, and Adaramoye Michael of the Youth Rights Campaign.

The organisers said the nationwide action aims to compel government authorities to take urgent steps to tackle insecurity and reverse policies they describe as anti-people and responsible for deepening poverty across the country.