The planned nationwide October 1 protest, Tuesday, recorded a low turnout as some youth and groups distanced themselves from the exercise in some parts of the country.
Reports from Kano, Adamawa, Kwara and a couple of other states showed low turnout or apathy on the part of Nigerians.
However, the protest went on as planned in Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The protest, tagged #FearlessOctober1 protest, was scheduled to hold in the 36 states and the FCT as the nation marked its 64th Independence Day anniversary.
…Adamawa
In Yola, Adamawa state, Blueprint reports that the independence anniversary didn’t hold.
This, according to government, was to avert possible breakdown of law and order that could arise from the planned protest.
It was observed that only a pro- Tinubu rally held during which the organisers called on Nigerians to keep faith with the All Progressives Congress(APC)-led federal government.
The rally, which was courtesy of Adamawa Concerned Youths(ACY), acknowledged the current state of the nation and urged support for the federal government.
Convener of the group, Yakubu Umar Girei, said: “The fiscal reforms instituted by this administration are manifesting in economic resurgence and social welfare improvements across Nigeria in various sectors.
“While the effect of some of the policies can be felt, other critical successes which cannot be seen or touched are also contributing immensely to Nigeria’s socio-economic rebirth.”
“The Tinubu administration’s economic policies have doubled the aggregate government revenues to over N9.1 trillion and led to a substantial reduction in revenue spent on debt service from 97% to 68%,” he added.
While highlighting some of the administration’s achievements to include loan schemes, consumer credit initiatives, and increased minimum wage, the group said they were already yielding the desired results.
“When Nigeria got its independence in 1960, save for the relics left behind by our colonial masters, Nigeria had close to zero infrastructure and social investment. In the last 64 years, Nigeria has built a robust infrastructure and invested heavily in the social service sector culminating in the establishment of educational institutions, health facilities, roads and so on,” Girei said.
…Kano, Kwara
Also, the ancient city of Kano was calm despite the absence of the usual pomp and pageantry associated with the independence day celebration.
This came on the heels of the rumour making the rounds that youth in the city had prepared to join the nationwide protest.
One of Blueprint correspondents who went around Kano metropolis reports that security was beefed up at strategic locations to forestall possible breakdown of law and order, as residents of the ever-sprawling commercial nerve centre went about their normal businesses.
However, the protest scare had sent shivers down the spines of many that it may trigger violent reaction from some hoodlums who would have unleashed a reign of terror on the innocent people.
A cross of section of people show poke to Blueprint said allowing the protesters to go on streets would have inflamed passion.
And from Ilorin, Kwara state, there was virtually zero participation in the protest, as residents went about their business and personal endeavours without let or hindrance.
The presence of police and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) at the Post Office, Fate/Agric Junction and other strategic points, inspired hope and sense of security among the people who freely moved around.
“We can’t afford all these protests because at the end of the day, the common man will be the end loser. However, the government should do the needful and make life easy and bearable for the citizens. The time is hard, but let’s give government to put its house in order. The government, also, must not take the people’s refusal to be part of the protest for granted,” said Sulaiman Sheriff, an Okada operator.
…Abuja, Ibadan
There was a moment of tension in Abuja when police officers fired teargas to disperse some hoodlums who had gathered to ignite protest in Jabi and Utako.
From Ibadan, Oyo state, some youth participated, during which they kicked against the fuel subsidy removal, increased electricity tariffs, high cost of living, and the profligacy among government officials.
The protesters hit the street under the umbrella of “Take It Back Movement,” a socio-political movement founded by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Omoyele Sowore.
The youth barricaded the popular Mokola roundabout in Ibadan.
They carried larger banners and placards bearing various inscriptions such as: “Hunger Dey,” “We are Hungry,” “End Bad Governance Now,” and “Revolution Now.”
Speaking with Premium Times on the protest ground, Solomon Emiola, one of the conveners of the protest in Ibadan, said the unmet demands in the previous protests informed the decision to stage another protest tagged #EndBadGovernance 2.0.
Mr Emiola said the group will not stop protesting until all demands are met.
He said the anti-people policies implemented by the government at all levels have kept Nigerians from achieving real independence, saying the policymakers at all levels have consistently made life miserable for the citizens.
He said: “In reality, we are still dependent because all anti-people policies violate the ethics and laws of humanity. The cost of living is prohibitively expensive, and we no longer receive any educational or petroleum subsidies. This is destroying our future, which is why we protest.
“The solutions to all our problems in this country are: The presidency should revive all our refineries, all our privatised assets should be nationalised, and they should cut ties with the IMF and the World Bank.”
Responding to the President’s 64th Independence Day speech, the State Public Relations Officer of Take-It-Back Movement, Ekanem Goodwill, said the promise of youth confab is a distraction from the ongoing protests across the country, citing the Federal Government’s history of unfulfilled promises.
“We are not falling for their trick because they cannot silence us. It is not today Government has been making promise. It is a known game since 1960. Seeing is believing,” Mr Ekanem said.
Security operatives on ground
The protest ground was monitored and guarded by the operatives of Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army and Western Nigerian Security Network (Amotekun).
Speaking with Premium Times via WhatsApp, Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the constitution recognised deliberate efforts guided by standard practices to be emplaced to prevent “sinister-minded individuals or groups from hijacking the process at the various designated locations for the peaceful processions.”
…Lagos
In Lagos, the protesters gathered under the bridge in Ikeja, for the ‘National Day of Survival’ protest, early in the morning, and marched round the state to register their grievances.
Sowore led the pack which comprised some civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the #EndBadGovernance movement.
Like others, they expressed their angst over the rising cost of living arising from fuel subsidy removal.
Sowore was seen alongside a crowd of protesters wielding placards, demanding an end to the nation’s economic crisis.
Some of the protesters also converged on Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, singing solidarity songs, and called on government to end the suffering among Nigerians.
The protest was, however, closely monitored by a large contingent of security personnel, including policemen, officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and NSCDC.
Leading the team of policemen at the protest ground was the state Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs, displaying placards bearing inscriptions such as, “Reverse electricity tariff now, “End all attacks on democratic rights”, “Reduce petrol price to N197 per litre; end scarcity”, and “Profit soars while people suffer.”
…Ondo
And from Akure, Ondo state, one of our correspondents reports that despite warning by the state police command, the protesters were joined by human rights activists under the aegis of the #RevolutionNow, and expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of living.
Commissioner of Police Abayomi Oladipo had Monday asked residents not to join any protest in the state.
Oladipo said the command had deployed its men to ensure no protest was used to truncate the independence day celebration.
In a peaceful protest however, the demonstrators took off from the popular cathedral church junction in Akure, chanting anti-government songs and asked President Tinubu to address their concerns over the rising cost of living.
The protest, which was closely monitored by the combined team of armed police officers and men of the state security services, also drew the attention of commercial drivers and motorcyclists, who lamented the disparity in the prices of fuel at filling station across the state.
Addressing journalists at the protest ground, one of the leaders, Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, accused the government of being insensitive to the needs of Nigerians in the face of the economic challenges across the country. (Additional report from Premium Times)