•Falz speaks at the June 12 protest in Lagos
Afrobeats singer and activist, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, today criticised the federal government over worsening insecurity and economic hardship, urging Nigerians to use the democratic process to express their dissatisfaction with governance.
Falz spoke while addressing demonstrators at the June 12 protest in Lagos, where a coalition of civil society organisations, trade unions, youth groups, community associations, social movements and faith-based groups gathered to protest rising insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis.
The singer said the country was grappling with increasing cases of kidnappings and killings, lamenting what he described as the government’s failure to adequately protect citizens, reports The PUNCH.
“Apart from the insane corruption and gross mismanagement of our resources, I think everybody can see the worsening insecurity. It’s unbearable now,” he said.
He cited recent abductions across parts of the country, including the kidnapping of students and the abduction of a relative of a former minister in Oyo State, arguing that all Nigerians deserve equal protection regardless of status.
“They don’t care about us. They don’t care about ordinary people. But it must be known that no Nigerian life is more important than the other. Every single Nigerian life matters. And every single person must be cared for and protected at all costs,” Falz stated.
The entertainer called for an immediate end to kidnappings and killings, expressing concern that students were still being abducted despite schools remaining open. He said the situation had left many Nigerians frustrated and disillusioned about the country’s future.
Asked about the chances of the ruling party in the next general election, Falz declined to predict the outcome but said public dissatisfaction with the management of national affairs was evident.
He accused political leaders of failing to demonstrate the will to address the country’s challenges despite having sufficient time in office.
The protest formed part of a nationwide action declared by a coalition of civic groups, labour activists, youth organisations and social movements. The coalition had designated June 12 as a day of mass action against what it described as worsening insecurity, escalating economic hardship and the declining living conditions of millions of Nigerians.
The declaration was contained in a statement jointly signed by prominent activists, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights President Yinka Folarin, #EndBadGovernance Movement organiser Hassan Soweto and Falz himself.
While reaffirming his faith in democracy, Falz said Nigerians would ultimately use the ballot box to make their voices heard. His remarks echoed growing public concerns over security and economic challenges, issues expected to remain central in national political discourse ahead of future elections.
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