A civil society organisation, Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has formally notified the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) of its intention to stage a peaceful protest in Abuja over concerns about the political climate in Enugu State.
In separate letters addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the DSS, the organisation said the planned protest is aimed at drawing national attention to issues it believed could affect democratic participation, political stability and public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the letters, which the group said were acknowledged by both security agencies, YOTSI stated that it was exercising its constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression.
The organisation said the demonstration is intended to highlight its concerns about political intolerance and what it described as challenges to democratic engagement in Enugu State, and to urge relevant authorities to promote an environment that supports peaceful political participation.
YOTSI said it believes that addressing such concerns through democratic dialogue and adherence to the rule of law is important for sustaining public confidence in the country’s democratic process.
“Our objective is to advocate for the preservation of democracy, the rule of law, political tolerance and the protection of every citizen’s constitutional right to participate freely in the democratic process without fear of intimidation or discrimination,” the organisation stated.
According to the notice, the protest is scheduled for August 17, 2026. Participants are expected to assemble at Maitama Roundabout before proceeding to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The organisers said about 3,000 people are expected to participate.
YOTSI assured security agencies that the protest would be peaceful and orderly, adding that participants had been instructed to remain law-abiding and refrain from any conduct capable of disrupting public peace.
The organisation also requested adequate security deployment to protect protesters, members of the public and public infrastructure throughout the exercise.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the planned demonstration, YOTSI Founding President, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, said democratic governance requires tolerance for differing political opinions and the protection of citizens’ rights to participate freely in the political process.
He said the planned protest was intended to promote democratic values and encourage greater commitment to constitutional rights, political inclusion and peaceful engagement among stakeholders.
Iyere added that criticism of public office holders is a recognised feature of democratic governance and called on political actors to resolve differences through dialogue, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
He urged political stakeholders to embrace restraint and constitutionalism, stressing that peaceful elections and equal protection of citizens, regardless of political affiliation, remain essential to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The group said its advocacy is focused on promoting peaceful political competition, democratic freedoms and the preservation of stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
