Government officials are on edge and police are on high alert as Nigerian youths plan nationwide protests from August 1-10, 2024, to highlight the severe hardship citizens are facing.
Naija News reports that the protest, gaining momentum particularly in the North, aims to highlight the citizens’ plight to the government.
This follows heightened suffering since President Bola Tinubu’s administration abolished fuel subsidies in May 2023, leading to calls for policy reversals.
Recall that on February 9, 2024, angry youths and women protested in Minna, the Niger State capital, and Kano against soaring prices of essential commodities.
Civil society groups, including the Take It Back Movement and the Education Rights Campaign, similarly protested on June 12 against rising living costs and insecurity. Their placards bore messages like “President Tinubu, let the poor breathe,” and “End Insecurity.”
Upcoming Protest Plans
The planned protest will span across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
While some organizers, particularly from the northern region, remain anonymous, African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been actively campaigning for the August protest on social media.
Sowore, known for leading multiple protests, declared that a revolution is imminent: ‘Nothing Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come’ #RevolutionNOW.
Sowore’s social media posts include: “The REVOLUTION is now knocking on our doors! #RevolutionNow. Let everyone rise all once in August 2024! … Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. They asked for a revolution, and it is here now! @officialABAT once asked for a revolution, even @MBuhari once asked for a revolution and Nigerians now want a real revolution.”
A circulating flyer titled “End Bad Government in Nigeria 2024” lists demands, including ending the subsidy scam, reducing fuel prices below ₦300 per liter, lowering tertiary education fees, and cutting Senators’ and House of Representatives members’ salaries and allowances.
Police Response to Protest
The Nigeria Police Force is reportedly taking steps to prevent the planned protest. An internal memo dated July 8, seen by Daily Post, indicates police directives to mobilize and prepare personnel, coordinate with other agencies and the military, and disperse unlawful gatherings.
“INGENPOL directs you to be proactive, mobilize well kitted and equipped personnel, synergize with other sister agencies and the military, takeover all strategic points in your AOR, deploy undercover for intelligent gathering, disperse unlawful gatherings, be in heart-to-heart conversation with community stakeholders, no form of protest must be allowed during the period,” it said.
The leaked memo, shared by social commentator @PIDOMNIGERIA on his verified X handle, warns against any form of protest during the specified period.
Naija News reports that the Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has announced a ban on all unlawful protests in the state.
The State Police Command made this known in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan.
Government Officials’ Reaction
The planned protest has instilled fear among government officials, especially lawmakers, who worry about potential attacks.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate engaged in a heated debate over the issue. Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West and Senator Ali Ndume Mohammed of Borno South led a motion titled “Urgent Need to address Food Insecurity and Market Exploitation of Consumables in Nigeria.”
Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan warned of possible citizen backlash if immediate actions aren’t taken to alleviate the hardship caused by increased fuel and electricity prices.
“If we don’t take immediate action, we will lose the power and our citizens under the situation of increased fuel price, increased electricity price, increased everything,” he said.
Public and Expert Opinions
Former lawmaker Shehu Sani recently warned Senate President Godswill Akpabio to avoid Wuse 2 in the FCT due to protests.
A Labour Party chieftain, Kayode Oyeniran, suggested that if the protest proceeds, government officials might need to find hiding spots.
“The truth is that Nigerians are angry. For the past few months now, there has been debates on the salaries and allowances of the Federal lawmakers…. People are suffering,” he said.
Oyeniran emphasized that protests might worsen the situation, urging organizers to find alternative ways to express grievances.
President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, advised Nigerian youths to channel their energy into farming. “Nigerian youths should redirect the energy they want to use for protest into farming and full-time agriculture,” he told DAILY POST.
He highlighted farming as a solution to end hunger and food scarcity.
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