- Nationwide protests occurred on October 1, 2024, Nigeria's Independence Day
- Protests were peaceful in some states, like Lagos and Ondo, but clashes occurred in some others
- The protests were a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance movement from August
On October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, demonstrators took to the streets across several states, holding banners with messages such as "We are hungry" and "Enough is Enough – Revolution Now to protest against bad governance and the rising economic hardships in the country.
In some areas, like Lagos and Ondo, the protests were peaceful, with organisers and civil society organisations (CSOs) reiterating their commitment to continuing the fight against poor governance. However, in some other states, clashes occurred between protesters and security forces, along with reported confrontations from political thugs.
The October 1 protests were a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance movement that began from August 1 to August 10. Themes like ‘#FearlessInOctober’ and ‘#National Day of Survival’ were used to mobilise citizens across the nation.
Protesters demand good governance in peaceful Lagos demonstration
The protests were peaceful in Lagos state and the demonstrators were led by Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Revolution Now Movement under the banner, “National Day of Survival.”
The protesters gathered at Ikeja Under-bridge, marching along Awolowo Way toward Alausa Secretariat and ending at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota. They condemned the hardship, poverty, and hunger faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The organisers described the protest as a call to address the pressing economic challenges and insensitivity of the government, as they vowed to continue the fight for good governance.
Sowore said, “We have called out Nigerians to exercise our rights. The independence that was granted in 1960 has become a burden on ordinary Nigerians. The independence was from colonialism. Today, October 1, we have called out Nigerians for actions to get real independence and that starts from today (yesterday) to liberate ourselves.
“This country needs a revolution. We need a revolution to liberate ourselves from the shackles of oppression by our leaders. I have come back home to be part of the masses, to kick against imperialism in our country.”
Ondo people protest economic hardship, call for immediate action
The demonstration in Akure, Ondo state began at Cathedral Church junction and saw participants chanting anti-government slogans while calling on President Bola Tinubu to address issues like hunger, the high cost of petrol, and electricity tariffs.
The protest, closely monitored by armed police officers and the State Security Services (DSS), remained peaceful, with law enforcement ensuring it wasn't hijacked by disruptive elements.
Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, one of the protest leaders, criticised the government for its insensitivity to Nigerians' suffering, arguing that current policies have deepened the economic crisis. Seyi Ogundipe, another activist, warned that the worsening hardship is pushing many self-employed youths toward crime due to unemployment.
The state police command, through spokesperson Funmi Odunlami, urged citizens to remain patriotic and avoid groups aiming to disrupt the nation’s Independence Day celebrations. She assured that the police commissioner had deployed all necessary security measures to ensure a hitch-free event.
“The people of the state to continue to be patriotic and not join any organisation or group that may want to disrupt the historical celebration of our dear nation.
“The commissioner of police had ordered that all security apparatus of the police be activated to ensure the celebration is hitch-free and that no untoward incident is recorded,” Odunlami stated.
Police fires tire gas at #FearlessinOctober protesters in Abuja
The Nigerian police fired tear gas canisters at hundreds of protesters in Abuja during the #FearlessInOctober demonstration, aimed at protesting poverty, hardship, and poor governance. The demonstrators, carrying banners and placards with slogans such as “We are hungry” and “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now,” gathered at Utako Market from 7 a.m. to begin the protest.
However, by 8:54 a.m., policemen dispersed the crowd, using force to break up the peaceful assembly. Eyewitnesses reported injuries among the protesters during the police crackdown, but official casualty figures have yet to be released by the organisers.
The police action in the Jabi and Utako areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) caused panic, forcing both residents and protesters to flee for safety.
Police and thugs disperse Independence Day protesters in Rivers
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, October 1 protesters faced strong resistance from heavily armed policemen and suspected political thugs who disrupted their gathering. As demonstrators assembled at Pleasure Park along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, the police, accompanied by suspected thugs, swiftly moved in to chase them away and take control of the area.
Attempts by the determined protesters to regroup at the Rumuola area were also met with police intervention, dispersing them once again. The authorities also placed heavy security checks at both locations and other potential gathering points, preventing any further attempts to continue the demonstration.
Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu, had advised residents to avoid any activities that could disrupt the peace during the nation's 64th Independence Day celebration. Disu had promised adequate security across the state and deployed personnel to key locations in the city.
Alleges arrest of leaders ahead of Independence day protest in Kano
In Kano, five leaders of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement (NPFM), Northern chapter, were allegedly arrested ahead of the group's planned October 1 National Survival Day protest.
The NPFM, in a statement issued by its representative, Mr Al-Amin, identified those detained as Mr Abdulmajid Daudu, Mr Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Mr Amina Bello, Mr Sani NaRogo, Mr Anas, and Mr Abdullahi.
The arrests reportedly took place after Abdulmajid and his colleagues held a press conference in Kano over the weekend, where they announced the commencement of nationwide protests to highlight economic hardship and poor governance.
According to the NPFM, the detained leaders were taken to Abuja by police officers acting under the directive of the National Security Adviser (NSA). The group condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of its members.
“Mr Abdulmajid Yakubu Daudu left his office this afternoon (Monday) at around 2:30 pm to attend a meeting with Kano State Commissioner of Police at the Bompai Headquarters of the Force.
“He was with four other members of the NPFM when he left his office for the meeting with the commissioner. As of 7: 42 pm, Mr. Abdulmajid and his colleagues have not returned. Their whereabouts is unknown. All efforts to reach them have proved abortive.
“We urge comrades across the country to help us raise the alarm until Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues safely return home.
“The growing state of political repression in the country makes this call for Kano State Commissioner of Police to produce Abdulmajid and his colleagues more urgent,” the Al-Amin said.
“Forex market stabilised, Boko Haram cut down”: 10 key points from Tinubu’s Independence speech
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the President, Bola Tinubu acknowledged the economic challenges Nigerians face but assured that reforms will soon bring relief.
TheRadar compiled key points from the President’s speech on Nigeria's 64th Independence anniversary.