“Protest Organizers Stand Firm: ‘No Turning Back’ for October 1 Demonstration”

The organizers of the planned October 1 protest against the worsening conditions in the country have reaffirmed their decision to move forward, despite opposition from the Federal Government and warnings from the Nigerian Police Force.

Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate and activist, who is one of the leaders of the protest, provided an update on his social media platform X on Monday, maintaining that the demonstration will take place nationwide.

“NO GOING BACK! #FearlessInOctober,” he declared.

According to Sowore, the nationwide protest is scheduled to take place at Eagles Square in Abuja. He emphasized that the protests will be peaceful, stating, “The protests will occur across all parts of Nigeria because the scale of devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship inflicted by this government is widespread. I must reiterate that these will be peaceful protests, as they always have been.”

He further criticized the government’s past handling of peaceful protests, saying, “The last protests were peaceful, yet the government responded with batons and bullets. But we will not be discouraged. Our only weapon is the truth, and no amount of force or violence will stop us from speaking truth to power.”

Sowore highlighted the widespread hunger in the country and urged Nigerians to turn out in large numbers. “Since our last protest two months ago, petrol prices have increased by almost N300 per liter, the naira has depreciated further, and prices in the market have surged. Communities are being wiped out by bandits, and floods are devastating cities. Given these circumstances, it is no surprise that Nigerians want to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to address these issues.”

He concluded, “We are ready to protest and determined to do so peacefully. Thousands of voices will rise in protest on October 1, and the hunger and suffering of Nigerians will not be silenced.”

Despite the Nigerian Police Force stating that they had not been officially notified of any protest, Sowore insisted, “We are fully prepared. Our organizers are on the ground and will not be hiding. These are revolutionary times, and Nigerians will take to the streets en masse from 7 a.m. on October 1.”

In Lagos, the protest is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. at Ikeja Under Bridge.

Meanwhile, security forces are already being deployed across the country to prevent violence. The Niger State Police Command has stationed officers at key locations, including popular markets and road junctions in Minna, the state capital. The Command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that they are deploying personnel to ensure public safety and order.

Other states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Kogi, have also confirmed the deployment of officers in preparation for the protests. In Kogi, Commissioner of Police Bethrand Onuoha advised protest organizers to reconsider their plans and give the government more time to address the nation’s economic issues.

The National Director of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said preparations for the protest are “in full swing” and that there are no plans to go underground, as they have committed no crime. “We are organizing openly and legally, and despite the repressive measures by the Tinubu-led administration, we remain undeterred. The protest will go ahead as planned.”

Damilare Adenola, the group’s Director of Mobilization, echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’m not going anywhere. Protesting is not a crime, and I’ve done nothing wrong.”

In Rivers State, the protest’s Publicity Secretary, Andy Akpotive, said the demonstration aims to hold leaders accountable. “October 1, 2024, gives us the chance to say we refuse to be silenced or oppressed in our own country.”

However, the Lagos State Government has reiterated that a court order restricting protests to two specific venues remains in effect. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), advised organizers to avoid disrupting social and economic activities and affirmed the governor’s instructions to the police to maintain public safety during the protest.