The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance movement, which previously led to widespread protests across Nigeria, are preparing for another series of nationwide demonstrations set to begin in October. This announcement was confirmed by Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), during a statement on Saturday.
This new wave of protests follows the previous demonstrations held from August 1 to 10, which were sparked by Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation. Although initially intended to be peaceful, the protests were marred by violence after being hijacked by non-state actors. The unrest resulted in the deaths of 17 participants and left many others injured as security forces responded with force. Additionally, over 1,135 people were arrested across the country, with significant disruptions reported in states such as Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
Kano State witnessed some of the most severe incidents, with miscreants vandalizing government properties, looting, and even flying Russian flags while calling for military rule. Authorities in Kano arrested 873 suspects, with 76, including a foreign national, being transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on charges of sedition.
Deji Adeyanju, one of the protest leaders, mentioned ongoing efforts to secure the release of those detained during the August protests. Sowore also confirmed that some detainees have been released, with human rights attorneys playing a crucial role in these efforts. He warned that the federal government might face an ultimatum if it continues to hold protesters unjustly.
The planned October protest, labeled #FearlessInOctober, is seen as a response to what the organizers describe as President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the demands of the previous EndBadGovernance protests. These demands included reversing policies like the controversial fuel subsidy removal, increasing the minimum wage, releasing political detainees, and several other reforms aimed at improving governance in Nigeria.
Sowore emphasized that the October protests would be more prolonged and intense than the previous ones, dismissing any rumors of ongoing negotiations with the federal government. He stated, “We are all working on our next set of prolonged protests tagged #FearlessInOctober,” highlighting the determination of the movement to continue pushing for change in Nigeria.
News Editor