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October 1 Nationwide Protests: Organisers reach out to police for security

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Banners and signs highlighting protesters' demands. 
Organisers called for police protection ahead of October 1 nationwide protest. Photo Credit: Al Jazeera
  • Organisers of the planned October protests have requested police security for protesters
  • Activists emphasised the need for peaceful demonstrations against rising costs of living
  • Protests aimed to call  government for accountability and immediate action to address rising costs of living 

Organisers of the planned nationwide protest on October 1st have reached out to the Nigerian Police to ensure adequate security for their members.

The request was made by the movement on Thursday, September 26 during a press conference held at the International Press Centre in Ogba, Lagos.

“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 group stated. 

Soweto urges Nigerians to join protests against anti-poor policies

The information was included in a statement co-signed by 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 Education Rights Campaign (ERC), urged Nigerians to participate in the peaceful protests against “anti-poor policies” during the press conference.

The organisers disclosed that in Lagos, the protest is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Ikeja under bridge, with participants marching along different streets to heighten awareness.

They urged Olanrewaju Ishola, the Lagos state commissioner of police, to guarantee sufficient security for participants by the Police Establishment Act 2020.

Statement criticises Tinubu’s luxury spending amid unaddressed demands 

“This action serves as a warning and urgent cry for the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately. If our demands are not met, more protests will follow the National Day of Survival.

“We invite you on another journey to redeem our nation as we continue to stand against the anti-poor policies of this regime,” the statement reads.

“As is obvious to everyone, none of the demands of our ten days of rage in August has been met.

“Rather, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply went ahead to use 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.

Inflation, fuel costs leave Nigerians struggling

“To show the absolute disdain that the Federal Government holds for the people, 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.

“Meanwhile, less than two years ago, a litre of fuel did not cost more than N200 per litre. This is outrageous. This is intolerable. As a direct consequence of this increment, 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.

#endbadgovernance movement declares October 1 as ‘national day of survival’

“At the same time, the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods has rendered traders and shopkeepers redundant as shops are overflowing with goods that no one is ready to buy.

“The situation has also affected businesses and industries. Nothing less than ten multinational firms have left the shores of Nigeria between May last year, leading to even more job losses.

“Based on the foregoing, we of the #EndBadGovernance Movement have decided to declare October 1st, 2024, as ‘National Day of Survival.

Organisers call for peaceful protests against poverty and hunger 

“On this day, we call on the Nigerian people, workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders, and the poor to come out in peaceful protest and demonstrations against the excruciating condition of hardship, poverty, and hunger imposed on us by President Tinubu’s decision to implement IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies of fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, school fees hike, and naira devaluation.

“We also call on the Nigerian people to utilise this day to demand with one voice the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and prison custody, as well as freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and all victims of state repression,” the statement read. 

“Fearless October Protest”: British diplomat warns against foreign influence

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Mr David Roberts, a former British diplomat, had alerted the federal government to the planned protests over rising living costs in October, indicating that foreign entities could be behind the organising efforts.

Roberts advised the federal government to regard the looming “Fearless October protests” as a significant concern and to act swiftly to address it.

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Halima AdeosunAdmin

Halima Adeosun is a news writer with over 5 years of experience reporting insightful events, and human interest stories.

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