There are plans by some Abuja-based civil society groups to march in solidarity with embattled international human rights organization, the Amnesty International.
It was gathered that the coalition group and some concerned Nigerians have concluded arrangements to lead a solidarity visit to Amnesty International Nigeria in support of their activities within the country.
A statement by the conveners of the protest, Jude Ndukwe and Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said Amnesty International has helped in no small way to put the excesses and arbitrariness of state agents in check as it is in developed democracies all over the world.
Ndukwe said the solidarity march which will hold, on Wednesday, March 29, will begin from the Unity Fountain, Abuja and end at the AI’s office in Maitama at 9 am.
“This has become necessary following the protests against AI last week and the wicked siege laid against its office for days as sponsored by fifth columnists. This has earned our nation bad reputation globally,” Ndukwe said.
“We can no longer sit by and watch while paid protesters attempt to rubbish the correct reports and good works of AI on the appalling human rights record of this administration thereby promoting and defending such records in the process.
“The participation of men and women of goodwill from all over the country in this solidarity rally would be highly appreciated,” he added. Recall that another group of CSOs led by Melvin Ejeh had given the international human right organization an ultimatum to leave Nigeria.
The group, an anti-Amnesty International group, said AI was undermining Nigeria’s security agencies and systems with its reports.