Some civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of #EndBadGovernance Movement, have declared October 1, 2024 as a ‘National Day of Survival’, to protest the prevailing economic hardship sweeping through the country.
In a statement issued during a press conference at the International Press Centre in Lagos on Thursday, Hassan Soweto, national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), called on Nigerians to engage in peaceful protests nationwide against “anti-poor policies”.
The statement was jointly signed by 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 movement cited the lack of action from the federal government despite the #EndBadGovernance protests of August.
They said the protest aims to address grievances surrounding the fuel price hike, rising food costs, and the impact of inflation on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
They criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government for “exacerbating poverty and hardship”.
The movement accused the administration of pursuing policies that disproportionately affect the poor, resulting in mass unemployment, inflation, and food insecurity.
“We invite you on another journey to redeem our nation as we continue to stand against the anti-poor policies of this regime,” the statement reads.
“As is obvious to everyone, none of the demands of our ten days of rage in August has been met.
“Rather, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply went ahead to use our national treasury to procure luxury cars, aircraft, and other luxuries for himself and the first family without caring a hoot about the plea of hungry Nigerians.
“To show the absolute disdain that the Federal Government holds for the people, Tinubu has gone ahead to now unleash on the Nigerian another round of hike in fuel price earlier this month.
“As we speak, the price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1900 per litre depending on which parts of the country you are.
“Meanwhile, less than two years ago, a liter of fuel did not cost more than N200 per litre. This is outrageous. This is intolerable. As a direct consequence of this increment, life has become unbearable for many Nigerian people.
“Many are starving as the increase in fuel price has also impacted food prices. Inflation has rendered the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage irrelevant and incapable of bringing any relief to Nigerian workers.
“At the same time, the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods has rendered traders and shopkeepers redundant as shops are overflowing with goods that no one is ready to buy.
“The situation has also affected businesses and industries. Nothing less than ten multinational firms have left the shores of Nigeria between May last year, leading to even more job losses.
“Based on the foregoing, we of the #EndBadGovernance Movement have decided to declare October 1st, 2024, as ‘National Day of Survival’.”
They demanded for the unconditional release of Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande, and all #EndBadGovernance protesters, activists, journalists, and whistleblowers.
“On this day, we call on the Nigerian people, workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders, and the poor to come out in peaceful protest and demonstrations against the excruciating condition of hardship, poverty, and hunger imposed on us by President Tinubu’s decision to implement IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies of fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, school fees hike, and naira devaluation,” the statement adds.
“We also call on the Nigerian people to utilize this day to demand with one voice the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and prison custody, as well as freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and all victims of state repression.”
The groups added that this year’s Independence Day, traditionally marked with celebrations, holds no significance given the current economic conditions.
“Rather than celebrate, October 1st should be a day to fight for the survival of democratic rights and the dignity of the Nigerian people,” they added.
Their demands include reversing the fuel price hike, reducing food prices, addressing insecurity, and implementing a N70,000 minimum wage across all sectors.
They also called for the prosecution of corrupt politicians and massive investment in public infrastructure to create jobs.
POLICE PROTECTION
The movement also called for electoral reform, including independent candidacy and diaspora voting.
They noted that in Lagos, the protest will commence at Ikeja under bridge at 7:30am, with participants marching through various streets to raise awareness.
They also asked Olanrewaju Ishola, Lagos state commissioner of police, to provide adequate security for participants in line with the Police Establishment Act 2020.
“By this announcement, we inform the Commissioner of Police of our planned October action and remind the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 to provide adequate security for citizens participating in public meetings, rallies, and protests,” they said.
“This action serves as a warning and urgent cry for the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately. If our demands are not met, more protests will follow the National Day of Survival.”
