A month after the 10-day protest, #EndBadGovernance, held between August 1st to 10th, Nigerians are gearing up for the October 1st protest tagged “National Day of Survival.” October 1st is a significant day in Nigeria, set aside to commemorate the country’s independence from colonial British rule in 1960.
The protest, also themed #FearlessInOctober, will hold, according to Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist and former presidential aspirant, despite the deployment of police officers at strategic locations in different states.
According to Sowore, he and other Nigerians are prepared to come out to protest peacefully. Sowore, who listed several demands, said that the current government has inflicted severe challenges of hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship on Nigerians.
He calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained during previous protests, as well as the liberation of all political prisoners in Nigeria ahead of the #FearlessInOctober mass protest.
Sowore also demanded from the President Bola Tinubu-led administration the urgent need to revamp the economy, create jobs, guarantee security, and enact constitutional reforms. He stressed that the suffering of the Nigerian populace is a direct consequence of what he described as insensitive government policies.
Sowore also demanded the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the implementation of a living wage for Nigerian workers, and the reversal of the subsidy removal policy that adversely affects the masses, among other demands.
National Coordinator Speaks
The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, a key figure in the #EndBadGovernance protest and the forthcoming October 1st protest, told *Within Nigeria* that the October protest is a continuation of the protest held in August, but with increased demands.
According to him, Nigeria has become worse since the end of the 10-day protest in August, and there is enough reason for Nigerians to join the nationwide protests, which he said is an effort to “defend their rights to life.”
“No one should be arrested for exercising their constitutional right, but if we get to the situation where journalists have to wear bulletproof vests and helmets as if going to war, and protesters are not sure of sleeping in their homes because they simply want to exercise their constitutional right, that tells you something. We are in a difficult time,” Sanyaolu noted.
He emphasized that the TIB is working with lawyers to secure the release of protesters arrested during the August 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest.
How To Stay Safe During Protests
As police officers have been deployed to different strategic points to strengthen security across various states, it is essential always to ensure your safety.
While joining the nationwide protests, make sure to communicate with a friend or close relative about your whereabouts at all times. If needed, switch on your location to allow proper monitoring from relatives and friends.
Also, we advise Nigerians to maintain peace and avoid the destruction of properties. Take enough water, wear comfortable shoes, and do not walk alone.