Massive October 1 Protest Against ‘Anti-Poor’ Policies Sparks Tensions, Organizers Seek Security

The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance movement have officially announced plans for a nationwide protest against “anti-poor policies” on October 1 and have written to the Nigerian Police, requesting security for the demonstrators. The protest aims to express growing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which they claim have worsened living conditions across the country.

In a joint statement signed by various 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)—the organizers emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations and urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to ensure participant safety in accordance with the Police Establishment Act 2020.

Hassan Soweto, National Coordinator of ERC, encouraged Nigerians to join the peaceful protests, warning that the action is a “cry for urgency” and a warning for the Tinubu administration to meet their demands or face continued demonstrations.

The protest is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. under the Ikeja bridge in Lagos, where participants will march to raise awareness of their grievances. Organizers pointed out that their demands from the “ten days of rage” protests in August have been ignored, accusing President Tinubu of using public funds for personal luxuries while Nigerians suffer from skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and economic hardships.

Calling for October 1, 2024, to be recognized as a “National Day of Survival,” the movement has urged workers, students, youth, and other vulnerable groups to unite in peaceful protest against the government’s economic policies, including fuel price hikes, electricity tariff increases, school fee surges, and the devaluation of the naira.

The organizers also demanded the release of all detained #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters, journalists, whistleblowers, and activists who remain in police or prison custody due to state repression.