As protesters prepare for October 1 2024 protest, tagged: ‘#FearlessInOctober’, the Federal government says it is working to ensure that it does not degenerate into riots.
Recall that October 1 has been slated for the #FearlessInOctober protest, which is an offshoot of an earlier protest in August. The protest is aimed to demonstrate against the growing hunger and poverty in the nation, fuelled by the rising cost of living.
However, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Omanuga, was quoted as saying that security agencies are already engaging some of the organisers.
According to him, “Government is not against any peaceful protest by Nigerians. After all, it is their fundamental right to stage any protest. But the Government is always apprehensive about such protests degenerating into a riot as we experienced in August, or the 2020 #EndSARS protest in many parts of the country”.
He revealed that the organisers are being monitored to ensure they do not create chaos in the nation, saying: “Security agencies have been discussing with some of the organisers and they are being monitored, so that they do not plunge the country into chaos or allow themselves to be used by internal and external forces who want to subvert the country and the 16-month-old administration”.
Onanuga noted that the Tinubu administration has not denied the difficulties faced by Nigerians, stresssing that reforms embarked upon by the administration have started yielding dividends, based on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data.
“The Government wishes to assure Nigerians that there is already light at the end of tunnel and seeks the patience and understanding of our compatriots”, he stated.
