The Northern Coordinators of the #EndBadGovernance protest have officially withdrawn from the planned nationwide demonstration on October 1, citing inadequate security measures for protesters.
Comrade Abdullahi Daura and Malam Mohammed Musa Biu, Chairman and Secretary of the Northern Coordinators, expressed their concerns following the national organizers’ failure to address issues related to the safety of participants.
The Coordinators feared a repeat of the violence experienced during past protests in Kano, Kaduna, and other Northern states, which had led to casualties and property damage.
“We are apprehensive about another destructive incident,” Daura stated, highlighting the need for effective security measures to protect demonstrators from potential hoodlums aiming to hijack the peaceful protests.
The Coordinators had previously requested security coverage at convergence points across the North but received no definitive responses or plans to mitigate violence and looting.
In light of the lack of security assurances, the Coordinators have urged members across the 19 states in the North to withdraw from the protest until security agencies can provide the necessary clearance and protection.
While reaffirming their commitment to pressuring the Federal Government to reverse harmful policies, they emphasized the priority of safeguarding the lives and property of innocent citizens.
They also warned their members to remain calm and peaceful during the October 1 Independence Day celebrations throughout the North.
This withdrawal follows a series of protests that began on August 1, 2024, in response to Nigeria’s escalating economic hardships and hunger crisis, which have ignited widespread discontent among citizens.