The organisers behind the recent #EndBadGovernance protest, which disrupted economic activities across Nigeria, say they are not done with airing their grievances against the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
As we speak, plans are underway for another round of nationwide demonstrations.
This time, the demonstration is set to take place in October.
This planned protest was brought to public notice by Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Sowore confirmed the upcoming protests in a statement to Daily Post.
This coming days after Nigerian youths staged a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10 in response to the country’s worsening economic conditions.
Although the protests were intended to be peaceful, they were hijacked by non-state actors, leading to the tragic deaths of several participants.
According to reports, 17 people lost their lives in states such as Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa, while many others were injured as security forces cracked down on the demonstrators.
Additionally, over 1,135 individuals were arrested across the country following the outbreak of violence during the protests.
In Kano State, miscreants disguised as protesters vandalised government properties, looted personal belongings, and even flew Russian flags while advocating for military rule in Nigeria.
Meanwhile in Kano, police arrested around 873 suspects, with 76 of them, including a foreign national, transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation on charges of sedition.
The October Protest
The October protest appears to be a response to what organizers describe as President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the demands of the EndBadGovernance protest.
These demands included reversing policies that have led to the high cost of living, such as the controversial fuel subsidy removal.
Apparently, the EndBadGovernance protest did not yield the desired results.
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But, Nigerians say they are not giving up.
The protesters also made 15 other demands, including:
1. Abolishing the Senate and making lawmaking a part-time endeavor with only the House of Representatives remaining.
2. Increasing the minimum wage to at least ₦250,000 per month.
3. Releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarizing the South East, as well as releasing and compensating all EndSARS and political detainees.
4. Ending banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes, and reforming security agencies to prevent human rights violations.
5. Overhauling the Nigerian judiciary to remove corrupt elements that deny citizens access to justice.
6. Allowing diaspora voting.
President Bola Tinubu had taken a bold step to address Nigerians.
However, despite addressing the nation on the sixth day of the August protest, the president failed to address the demands of Nigerians, prompting organisers to plan further demonstrations.
Sowore revealed that the upcoming protest, dubbed #FearlessInOctober, will be more prolonged than the August protests.
Dismissing rumors of ongoing negotiations with the federal government, Sowore stated. “I am not part of any negotiations.
We are all working on our next set of prolonged protests tagged #fearlessinOctober.”
