On October 1, 2024, Nigeria, which achieved independence from British rule in 1960, will mark its 64th Independence Day.
Interestingly, this mark the country’s second Independence Day Celebration under the President Bola Tinubu’s regime.
You see, President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 29, 2023.
That day, as he mounted the podium to give his acceptance speech, Tinubu made a shocking announcement, one that would later have great consequences on Nigerians.
“Fuel subsidy is gone”, President Tinubu screamed without fear or ambiguity.
It was not until some weeks later that Nigerians began to feel the effect of that announcement.
Nigerians began to witness a hardship like never before.
2023 Independence Day
Months after the swearing in, came the 2023 Independence Day celebration.
That day, Nigerians, with an obvious frown on their faces, struggled to celebrate the country.
As at then, President Tinubu had assured Nigerians that the hardship would soon be a thing of the past.
He told Nigerians that what they were going through was just the ‘little sacrifices’ needed to better the country.
Well, fast forward to today, the hardship still persists.
As a matter of fact, it is way more than the previous year.
The October Protest
We cannot say for sure how Nigerians intend to mark this year’s Independence Day, considering the situation of things.
In fact, Nigerians were very angry at the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu after she unveiled an Aso Ebi fabric for the celebration.
Nigerians are angry. Nothing seems to be working, the poor masses are suffering.
This was what prompted the #EndBadGovernance protest that rocked the country recently.
However, the effect of that protest was not felt.
Now, many Nigerians are looking for a better time to protest, and what better time is there than when the country is celebrating its Independence Day?
That day, the whole world will have its eyes fixed on Nigeria.
Talks of another mass protest surfaced on August 19.
The organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest said they were not done airing their grievances against the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
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.
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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.
But, Nigerians say they are not giving up.
There is a great possibility of a massive protest on that day, considering all that has happened.
Sowore and other notable individuals are determined to drag the presidency until the demands of the protesters are met.
It remains to be seen what this day will bring, however, one thing is certain, it will be a memorable day.
