#Endbadgovernance Organisers write police, seek security for October 1 protest

#Endbadgovernance protest organisers have publicly outlined their plan to embark on ”anti-poor policies’ protest on October 1 and have formally written to the Nigerian Police, seeking adequate security for their members during the planned demonstrations. 

The protest aims to address growing public dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which they say have exacerbated hardship across the country.

This request for police protection was included in a joint statement signed by multiple 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, the National Coordinator of the ERC, urged Nigerians to participate in peaceful protests against what he described as “anti-poor policies.” The organizers emphasized the need for peaceful protests, asking the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to ensure security for participants as per the Police Establishment Act 2020.

“By this announcement, we inform the Commissioner of Police of our planned October action and remind the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 to provide adequate security for citizens participating in public meetings, rallies, and protests,” the statement read.

According to the groups, the protest in Lagos will begin at 7:30 a.m. under the Ikeja bridge, with participants marching through the streets to raise awareness. They warned that the action is “a warning and urgent cry” for the Tinubu administration to address their demands immediately or face further protests.

Outlining their grievances, the organizers pointed out that the demands from their “ten days of rage” protests in August remain unmet. They criticized President Tinubu for @ignoring the plight of Nigerians while using our national treasury to procure luxury cars, aircraft, and other luxuries for himself and the first family without caring a hoot about the plea of hungry Nigerians.”

They also condemned the recent fuel price hike, stating that, “Tinubu has gone ahead to now unleash on the Nigerian another round of hike in fuel price earlier this month. As we speak, the price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1900 per litre depending on which parts of the country you are.”

Describing the impact of this, they continued: “Life has become unbearable for many Nigerian people. Many are starving as the increase in fuel price has also impacted food prices. Inflation has rendered the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage irrelevant and incapable of bringing any relief to Nigerian workers.”

The statement also pointed to rising costs that have left traders and shopkeepers struggling to sell goods, while several multinational companies have exited Nigeria due to the difficult economic environment, leading to further job losses.

As a response, the organizers declared October 1st, 2024, a “National Day of Survival,” calling on workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders, and the poor to protest peacefully against the hardship brought on by “IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies” such as fuel price hikes, electricity tariff increases, school fees hikes, and naira devaluation.

In addition, they urged Nigerians to demand the release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters still in police or prison custody, as well as the release of detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and other victims of state repression.