As Nigeria prepares for its 64th Independence Day celebration, the Federal Government has announced plans for a low-key event, while youth activists are gearing up for nationwide protests against hunger and poor governance. The protests, tagged “FearlessInOctober,” aim to draw attention to the economic hardships many Nigerians have faced since the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, confirmed on Thursday, September 26, that the subdued celebrations were a reflection of the nation’s somber mood. Akume emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is aware of the economic struggles of Nigerians and sympathizes with their plight.
However, activist groups, led by organizers of the EndBadGovernance protests, see this as an opportunity to demand further action. The economic crisis, particularly the skyrocketing prices of essential goods such as food, has exacerbated the situation, with data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing a significant rise in the cost of staples like rice, beans, and eggs.
A spokesperson for the protests, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, called for peaceful demonstrations across the country, stating that the government must protect the rights of citizens to protest. “We are determined to make our voices heard. The security agencies must do their duty and protect protesters,” Sowore told DAILY POST.
Jerome Williams, another protest leader, criticized the government’s handling of the economy, particularly the fuel price hike and inflation. “People are dying of hunger, and the government remains unbothered. We won’t stop protesting until real change happens,” Williams said.
Despite warnings from the police and Department of State Services (DSS) to maintain order, the organizers have vowed to press on with their protests, accusing the government of intimidation tactics, including the arrests of demonstrators during earlier protests in August.
