Government Officials and Police on High Alert as Nationwide Protest Looms Due to Hardship

As hardship deepens, some Nigerian youths are planning nationwide protests from August 1-10, 2024, according to information obtained by NIGERIA NEWS 247. The protest, gaining traction particularly in the North and other regions, aims to draw attention to the citizens’ plight.

Since President Bola Tinubu’s administration abolished the fuel subsidy in May 2023, Nigeria has faced severe economic hardship, leading to calls for policy reversals. Previous protests in Minna, Niger State, and Kano on February 9, 2024, and by various civil society groups on June 12 highlighted the surging cost of living, insecurity, and other national challenges.

The planned August protest is set to take place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. While some organizers remain anonymous, African Action Congress’s 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been promoting the protest on social media, advocating for a revolution starting in August under the banner #RevolutionNOW.

Sowore wrote, “The REVOLUTION is now knocking on our doors! Let everyone rise all at once in August 2024! Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.”

A flyer circulating on social media titled “End Bad Government in Nigeria 2024” lists demands, including reversing the fuel price to below N300 per liter, reducing tertiary education fees, making electricity tariffs affordable, and publicly reducing the salaries and allowances of Senators and House of Representative members.

The Nigeria Police Force is reportedly planning to halt the protest. An internal memo dated July 8, directed to zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, instructed the mobilization of well-equipped personnel and synergy with other agencies to disperse unlawful gatherings and maintain order during the protest period.

Public fear is growing among government officials, especially lawmakers, who worry about possible attacks. On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate debated the fear of attacks by angry citizens due to prevailing hardships. Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan warned that Nigerians might soon revolt if immediate actions aren’t taken to address the situation.

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Shehu Sani recently advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to avoid passing through Wuse 2 in Abuja due to potential protests against “hunger in the land.”

Kayode Oyeniran, a chieftain of the Labour Party, expressed concerns that if the protest proceeds, government officials may need to find places to hide, emphasizing the public’s anger and impatience over the government’s unfulfilled promises.

Conversely, Goodluck Ibem, President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), urged Nigerian youths to redirect their energy into farming and agriculture instead of protesting, suggesting that this would help alleviate food scarcity and hunger.

Overall, the situation reflects widespread dissatisfaction and the potential for significant unrest if the underlying economic issues are not addressed promptly.