The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has welcomed the discharge and acquittal of 11 protesters arrested during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, describing the court ruling as a victory for democratic resistance and a rebuke of politically motivated repression.
In a statement signed by Daniel Akande, SNWR extended “profound appreciation” to Nigerians, labour activists, student movements, civil society allies, and the international socialist and human rights community for their support during the trial.
The Federal High Court acquitted Akande and ten others on December 10, 2025, following charges of treason and terrorism linked to protests against worsening economic conditions. SNWR said the ruling exposed the state’s attempts to criminalise dissent and suppress democratic rights.
“The trial was never about justice,” the group said, describing it as an effort to intimidate activists protesting corruption, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and police brutality under the Tinubu administration.
SNWR hailed the acquittal as a broader political victory that should inspire unity among workers, students, youths, and rural communities. “This victory is a powerful reminder that when we fight, we can win,” the statement read.
However, the organisation cautioned that the underlying issues prompting the protests remain unresolved. It highlighted the deepening hardship, rising unemployment, persistent insecurity, and escalating living costs affecting millions of Nigerians. SNWR accused the ruling elite of consolidating wealth at the expense of the majority and called for systemic change.
The group advocated for a socialist alternative, arguing that national wealth must be publicly owned, democratically controlled, and managed in the interest of working people. It also called for the creation of a mass workers’ party rooted in workplaces, communities, and campuses to challenge the current political order.
Describing the acquittal as “more than a legal victory,” SNWR said it serves as a rallying point to intensify collective action. “The struggle continues. Victory is certain. And when we fight together, we can win,” the statement concluded.
