Nationwide Protest Planned for August: Organizers Outline Demands to President Tinubu

 

Organizers of the upcoming nationwide protest, scheduled from August 1 to August 10, have detailed their key demands for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The mass protest, driven by widespread economic frustration, will span all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The movement, branded as “Days of Rage” and “EndBadGovernance,” is spearheaded by Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). Sowore outlined the demands in a statement sent out on Wednesday.

The protesters are calling for several major changes:

1. Fuel Subsidy Reinstatement: A return to the previous fuel subsidy system.
2. Power Sector Reforms: Addressing ongoing issues within the electricity sector.
3. Release of Nnamdi Kanu: The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should be freed from Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
4. Diaspora Voting: Allowing Nigerians abroad to vote in general elections.

Further, the protesters are advocating for:

• Constitutional Overhaul: Abolishing the 1999 constitution in favor of a new one crafted through a sovereign National Conference and a national referendum.
• Legislative Changes: Eliminating the Senate and making the House of Representatives a part-time body.
• Increased Minimum Wage: Raising the monthly minimum wage to at least N250,000.
• Education Investment: Providing grants instead of loans to students and pursuing free and compulsory education for children.
• Release of Political Detainees: Including those detained during the ENDSARS protests and political prisoners, as well as demilitarizing the South East.
• Public Enterprise Reform: Rationalizing government-owned enterprises sold to officials and cronies.
• Corruption Measures: Implementing a corruption-free subsidy regime and probing past and current leaders for treasury looting.
• Restructuring: Redesigning Nigeria to reflect its diversity, control resources, and encourage regional development.
• Security and Judicial Reforms: Ending banditry, terrorism, and human rights violations, and overhauling the judiciary to eliminate corruption.
• Energy Sector Development: Establishing a special agency for corruption-free power sector advancements.
• Electoral Reforms: Reconstituting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove corrupt and partisan elements.
• Public Works and Industrialization: Investing in these areas to create employment opportunities for the youth.
• Diaspora Voting: Ensuring Nigerians in the diaspora can participate in elections.

In response, President Tinubu has urged Nigerians to reconsider their plans, expressing confidence in his administration’s ability to address these issues and improve the country’s situation.