Afrobeats artiste and activist, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has knocked the Federal Government over the rising wave of insecurity and worsening economic hardship in the country, saying Nigerians are increasingly being left to fend for themselves.
Falz made the remarks on Friday while speaking to protesters during the June 12 demonstration held in Lagos, where civil society groups, labour unions, youth organisations, faith-based bodies and other movements converged to demand action over insecurity and the cost of living crisis.
He said the situation in the country had become alarming, with repeated cases of kidnappings and killings across several states, accusing authorities of failing in their responsibility to protect citizens.
“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.
Referencing recent incidents, including abductions in different parts of the country such as students and a relative of a former minister in Oyo State, Falz argued that security should not be selective based on social or political 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.
He further called for urgent steps to halt the trend of kidnappings and killings, expressing concern that educational institutions have continued to suffer attacks despite ongoing academic activities. According to him, the growing insecurity has deepened public frustration and weakened confidence in the country’s direction.
When asked about the prospects of the ruling party in the next general election, the singer declined to make predictions but maintained that there was widespread dissatisfaction with governance. He said political leaders had not shown enough urgency in addressing the country’s challenges despite spending years in office.
The protest was part of a nationwide mobilisation organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, labour groups, youth movements and other advocacy networks, which declared June 12 a day of mass action against insecurity, hardship and deteriorating living conditions.
The coalition’s position was contained in a joint statement signed by several 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.
Falz, while reaffirming his commitment to democratic processes, said Nigerians would ultimately express their displeasure through the ballot, stressing that public anger over insecurity and economic hardship is expected to shape future political conversations in the country.
