Peter Obi, a prominent leader of Nigeria’s Labour Party, recently spoke out against the Nigerian government’s treatment of minors who participated in the recent EndBadGovernance protest. These young individuals were reportedly brought to court after protesting for better governance and basic rights.

According to reports, 76 protesters, including several minors, were taken to the Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday. In a disturbing incident, one minor even collapsed before the trial began, underscoring the stress and exhaustion many of these young people endured.

Peter Obi, in a social media post, condemned the government’s actions. He highlighted that video footage of the minors in court shows some looking visibly weak and malnourished, with some even fainting from exhaustion. Obi called this a serious concern for all citizens, as it reveals poor handling of minors in government custody. He emphasized that these young protesters were exercising their right to protest under Nigeria’s democratic Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Obi also noted the irony of current government officials who, in the past, supported these same democratic freedoms when they were in opposition. He urged respect for the human dignity of all people, including those in custody, especially minors. Appreciating the judge’s decision to halt the trial, Obi expressed relief that this prevented further embarrassment for Nigeria on the world stage.

In closing, Obi called on key government agencies—including the Minister of Justice, Attorney General, Police, DSS, and the National Human Rights Commission—to investigate the mistreatment of these minors. He stressed the need to protect basic human rights and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

This strong message from Peter Obi underlines the need for justice and fair treatment of young protesters, reminding us all that human rights must be upheld, especially for minors.