#EndBadGovernance Protest Organisers Seek Police Security for October 1 Demonstration

The organisers of the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest have officially written to the Nigerian Police, requesting security arrangements for their planned demonstration on October 1, 2024.

The protest, organised under the theme “anti-poor policies,” aims to express growing public discontent with the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, which the organisers claim have worsened hardship across the country.

The request for police protection was made 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, called on Nigerians to join the peaceful protest, urging the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to ensure the safety of all participants as mandated by 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.

The demonstration in Lagos is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. under the Ikeja bridge, with participants marching through the streets to raise awareness about their demands. Organisers describe this protest as a “warning and urgent cry” for the government to act on their grievances, or risk facing further protests in the future.

This action follows the “ten days of rage” protests in August, during which similar demands were made but left unaddressed by the government. The organizers criticised President Tinubu for “ignoring the plight of Nigerians,” while accusing the administration of using public funds for luxury cars, aircraft, and other extravagances for the president and the first family.

One of the main points of protest is the recent fuel price hike, which organizers argue has drastically worsened the living conditions for many Nigerians.
“As we speak, the price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1,900 per litre depending on which parts of the country you are,” the statement read, adding that inflation has rendered the N70,000 minimum wage insufficient to meet basic needs.

Beyond fuel price hikes, the statement also pointed to skyrocketing food prices, increased electricity tariffs, rising school fees, and a devalued naira.
The economic conditions have led to significant hardship for traders, shopkeepers, and the general population, while several multinational companies have exited the Nigerian market, resulting in widespread job losses.

In response to these economic challenges, the organizers have declared October 1 as a “National Day of Survival,” encouraging workers, students, youth, the unemployed, and traders to peacefully protest against the “IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies” they believe are driving the nation’s economic difficulties.

The protest organisers are also demanding the release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters still detained, as well as journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and others who they claim are victims of state repression.