Thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets today, October 1, 2024, to express their frustration with the country's economic woes amid tight security. The #FearlessInOctober protest, which began at 7 am at the Utako market in Abuja, is a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations held between August 1 and 10.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, lamented the hardship in the country, attributing it to the policies of the Federal Government. "The people are suffering, and it's time for change," he emphasized.
Security operatives have mounted roadblocks on roads leading to Eagle Square in Abuja, attempting to control the flow of protesters. However, demonstrators remain undeterred, determined to make their voices heard.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has joined the ongoing protest in Lagos State, showing solidarity with the movement. Sowore's presence has electrified the crowds, with many seeing him as a champion of the people.
The protests come as Nigerians struggle to cope with rising costs of living, unemployment, and insecurity. The Federal Government faces mounting pressure to address these issues and provide relief to its citizens.
Recall that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) tightened security across the nation on Monday organisers of the October 1 protest insist on going ahead with the demonstration on Independence Day as planned.
However, the protesters persist in being heard by the federal government through peaceful protests. They added that the latest demonstration was necessitated by the failure of the Federal Government to address their demands, which include hunger in the land, rising cost of hunger, insecurity, government wastefulness, electoral reforms, and human capital development amongst others.
The group explained that the FCT protest would be held at Eagle Square, the same venue as the Independence Day parade, while the Lagos protest would occur at the Ikeja Under Bridge. On Sunday, the protest's human rights advocate and leader, Omoyele Sowore, said they were “fully prepared” for the protest, adding that they would hit the streets at 7 am on the scheduled date.
“We are fully prepared. Our organisers are on the ground and will not be going into hiding. These are revolutionary times, Nigerians will hit the streets en mass starting from 7 am on October 1,” he said.
In Lagos, the protest organisers plan to commence their march at the Ikeja Under Bridge at 7:30 am.
