AMID heightened tension and heavy deployment of security officers across Nigeria, activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reiterated his plans to be part of the nationwide protest on October 1.
October 1st is a day set aside to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day.
However, many Nigerians are mobilising to protest what they have described as “the hardships, privations, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty” that the Bola Tinubu administration has inflicted on the country.
In a statement via his X handle, on Monday, September 30, Sowore, who has spent much of the past six years either in detention, prison or under house arrest on charges of treason, emphasised that protests are the only tool citizens have to voice their opposition to anti-people’s policies.
The protest, which he tagged #FearlessInOctober, is also aimed to draw attention to the violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights and advocate for good governance.
“On October 1st for #FearlessINOctober, I will be on the streets of Nigeria to join with other Nigerians in protesting the hardships, privations, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty that the Tinubu government has unleashed on the Nigerian people.
“Protests or revolts are the only tools that a people have to voice their opposition to the anti-people policies of their government. That right is enshrined in the genes of everyone, and I have every intention to exercise that right on October 1st and beyond.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the rights of Nigerians to a decent life, good governance, and justice for all.
“For those who wonder why I refuse to back down, or cower in fear, given the threats to my freedom and my life – here is my reply: I committed myself to the cause of fighting for the emergence of a better Nigeria three decades ago. I remain committed to that ideal.
“As long as I have breath in my lungs, and as long as my fists can be raised – I will continue to fight for the right of the Nigerian people to a decent life. I will continue to advocate for their rights to good governance and I will continue to demand justice for all.
While noting that Nigerians would not relent until their demands were met, He urged citizens to join the October 1st protest across the country.
Fears of a possible crackdown
Meanwhile, there are widespread concerns over the possibility of a government crackdown on the protesters as the government did during the EndBadGovernance protests between August 1st to August 10.
The ICIR reports that the Nigerian authorities have been caught in the web of suppressing protests, particularly those that challenge the government’s policies, with the deployment of heavy security operatives and also the use of the judiciary to prevent mass demonstrations.
The ICIR reported how the Lagos State government and Federal Capital Territory secured a court order restricting and confining protesters to some specific locations during the 10-day #EndBadGovernance.
For instance, the court restricted protesters in Lagos and Abuja to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and the Peace Park in Ojota, and the Mashood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, respectively.
With the planned protest on Tuesday, the Lagos State Government maintained that the court directive restricting protests to two designated venues in the state would stand.
This was as the Nigerian police force and the Civil Defence Corps beefed up the security, deploying thousands of personnel across the country.
Although the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not comment on the command’s preparedness for the planned October 1 protest when contacted via WhatsApp earlier today by The ICIR, this organisation gathered that the police in the state have started deploying and barricading some roads off the Awolowo Road that leads from one end of Alausa, the state secretariat, to the other end at Ikeja’s new garage to forestall violence.
The ICIR reported how the police, alongside other security forces, tear-gassed and shot at armless protesters and journalists, particularly in Abuja and Kano during the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
In some states, thugs and hoodlums were seen hijacking the protests to loot government properties, leading to arbitrary arrests and the detention of several demonstrators.
Currently, about 10 leaders and organisers are being arraigned at the Federal High Court In Abuja for alleged treason, inciting mutiny and intent to destabilise Nigeria.
Dozens of other protesters are also in prison who cannot meet their bail conditions.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M