Organizers Announce Nationwide Protest Against "Anti-Poor Policies" on October 1

 

The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance movement have announced plans for a nationwide protest on October 1, 2024, to challenge what they describe as "anti-poor policies" by President Bola Tinubu's administration. The protest is aimed at addressing the worsening economic hardship facing Nigerians due to recent government policies.

In a formal letter to the Nigerian Police, the organizers requested adequate security for protesters during the planned demonstration. The joint statement was signed by various advocacy groups, including the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Joint Action Front (JAF), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria).

Hassan Soweto, National Coordinator of the ERC, called on Nigerians to join the peaceful protest. He emphasized that the protests will be conducted peacefully and urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to provide security, as outlined in the Police Establishment Act 2020.

"We have informed the Commissioner of Police about our planned action for October and remind them of their duty under the Police Establishment Act to provide security for citizens engaging in public rallies and protests," the statement said.

The protest in Lagos is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. under the Ikeja Bridge, where participants will march through the streets to raise awareness. The groups described the demonstration as a "warning" for the government to address their concerns or risk further protests.

The organizers voiced their dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration, accusing the president of neglecting the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. They cited unaddressed demands from their previous protests in August, including complaints about rising fuel prices, which have now reached between N900 and N1,900 per liter across the country.

"Life has become unbearable for many Nigerians, with soaring food prices and inflation making the new N70,000 minimum wage insufficient for workers," they stated, adding that many businesses have shut down due to the harsh economic conditions, leading to further job losses.

The groups have declared October 1st as a "National Day of Survival," calling on workers, students, the unemployed, and traders to peacefully protest against the negative impact of policies like fuel price hikes, electricity tariff increases, and the devaluation of the naira. They also demanded the release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters still in detention, as well as journalists, activists, and whistleblowers.

The organizers insist that their movement is a fight for survival against IMF and World Bank-backed policies that they believe have worsened the living conditions of the Nigerian people.