The organisers of the planned nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardships, billed to take off today, Thursday, have revealed some points of convergence and demands for the anti-government demonstrations.
The venues were disclosed in a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, (SAN) soliciting for the “Take It Back Movement”.
The eight locations include: ABUJA: Eagle’s Square, by the Secretariat, FCT, Abuja; LAGOS: Alausa Park by the Secretariat, Ikeja; BENIN: Opposite Wema Bank. Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; OYO: Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
The others are: BAUCHI: Opposite School of Agric, Bauchi, along Tafawa Balewa Road; YOBE: Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; RIVERS: Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium, and OSUN: Freedom Park, Osogbo.
However, a Lagos High Court has granted an ex-parte application filed by the state’s Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro, seeking to restrict the proposed August 1 nationwide protest, in Lagos, to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park, in Ketu.
As the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest looms, the demands from various organisers reflect a broad spectrum of issues, underscoring the diversity and complexity of the movement.
While no single group claims to encapsulate the complete list of protest demands, a central theme is clear: economic hardship and calls for comprehensive reforms. Among the primary rallying points is the rising cost of living, exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and the naira’s floatation.
Protesters are calling for the restoration of the fuel subsidy and a reduction in fuel prices to below ?300 per litre. They also demand a increase in the national minimum wage to ?300,000, contrasting with the ?70,000 recently signed into law by Tinubu.
The protesters are also pushing for affordable electricity tariffs and the creation of an emergency fund to support small and medium enterprises, (SMEs), which they see as vital to the nation’s struggling economy. Additionally, they advocate for a state of emergency on inflation to address the rising costs impacting households across the country.
Calls for re-opening national borders to stimulate trade and prioritising made-in-Nigeria goods aim to bolster local economies. Protesters also demand the restoration of previous import duty rates to revive local industries and alleviate financial pressures on consumers.
While the demands are extensive, some critics argue that certain requests are too vague or unachievable.
The (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday met with Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, and other activists over the planned nationwide protests.
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, who was part of the meeting, provided details of the discussions on his X account on Tuesday. According to him, the IGP assured that security would be provided to protesters who gather at designated locations and communicated to the public.
However, the lawyer expressed concern over the Police’s apparent disregard for threats issued by suspected government-sponsored thugs targeting protesters.
While the IGP has ruled out the deployment of the military, he hinted that the armed forces could be called in if the Police is overwhelmed by violence.
Effiong urged Nigerians to notify their respective State Commissioners of Police of their intended protest locations, and to conduct rallies and marches in a coordinated manner.
The lawyer emphasised the importance of peaceful protests and called on the IGP to prioritise the safety of citizens, warning that history will judge him based on his handling of the situation.
