#EndBadGovernance Protest Organizers Threaten To Resume Nationwide Protests On Independence Day, October 1 Over Alleged Inactions, Unresponsiveness of FG

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance cum #endhunger protests have announced plans to hold another rounds of nationwide demonstration, effective from October 1, Nigeria's independence day.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News gathered that this development follows what the protests organizers described as "the Federal Government's failure to address the demands raised during the initial 10-day protest in August, which saw thousands of Nigerians taking to the streets to protest widespread economic hardship. 

OTN News recalls that the August nationwide protests, led by the Take-It-Back Movement and a coalition of Civil Society Groups, were marked by massive lootings, wanton destruction of both public and private property and arson in some parts of the country. Despite these challenges and the corresponding damage control efforts by security operatives in the country, whose actions taken against protesters as well as journalists on duty were heavily criticized, the organizers remain resolute in their call for change.

OTN News further recalls that the August protests, which ran from the 1st to the 10th, were triggered by growing dissatisfaction with the Government’s handling of the economy and rising inflation that has left many Nigerians struggling.

The August #endhunger protests swept across various states, with demonstrators voicing their frustration over the persistent economic crisis and lack of effective governance, with some protesters taking to dramatic and weird ways such as carrying empty pots around the street while a man reportedly walked the streets of Lagos naked.

Before the protests began, the Federal Government had appealed to Nigerian youths to cancel the demonstrations, but the plea fell on deaf ears as citizens took to the streets in large numbers but the turn out of protesters gradually dwindled as the protests reached its 10th day, when a 37-Million-Man March was scheduled to hold but flopped.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, Director of Mobilization for the Take-It-Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, expressed disappointment with the Government's inaction. He stated that none of the key demands presented during the August protests have been addressed by President Tinubu’s administration. 

Adenola emphasized that protests have become the only effective tool to make the government listen to the people, given the administration's refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue.

“We’ve named this next phase ‘Fearless in October,’ as a follow-up to the August protests, we realized that the Tinubu administration has been completely unresponsive to our demands, so we’ve decided to continue mobilizing for change. We believe that in many parts of Africa, protests are the only language that oppressive leaders truly understand. This is why we are organizing another round of nationwide demonstrations, set to begin on October 1 and continue indefinitely until our demands are met," Adenola explained.

The movement’s new protest will echo the grievances raised in August, including calls for improved governance, economic reforms, and greater accountability from political leaders. 

OTN News reports that the organizers have made it clear that they will not back down until the Federal Government takes concrete steps to address the concerns of the people. 

According to the organizers, the protests will commence on Independence Day, October 1, and will persist for as long as necessary to achieve the desired change. 

As the organizers prepare for this next wave of demonstrations, they are urging Nigerians from all walks of life to participate in the protest and demand a better future for the country. 

With a firm stance against bad governance and a commitment to holding the government accountable, the Take-It-Back Movement and its allies said they are ready to continue their fight for justice and economic equality in Nigeria.