Organizers of the October 1 protest vow to move forward with their plans despite rising tensions and security concerns. Learn more about their determination and the potential impact on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.
Organisers of the October 1 protest against Nigeria’s plight insisted they would continue with the “confrontation” despite opposition from the Federal Government and warnings from the Nigerian Police.
Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore, one of the leaders of the protests scheduled for October 1, on Monday, in an update on his social media platform X, made the case for the action and said it would take place across the country.
“No back! #FearlessIn October,” he wrote on Monday.
According to Sowore, the nationwide protest will take place at Eagles Square in Abuja.
Explaining the nature of the protest, Sowore said it was peaceful.
“Protests will be held across Nigeria because the scale of devastation, hunger, insecurity and hardship that this administration has brought to Nigerians is country-wide. I want to reiterate that, as in the past, these are peaceful protests.
The last protests were peaceful but the government met the demonstrators with batons and bullets.
But we will not flinch. Our only weapon is the truth and no force will stop us from speaking truth to power,” he said.
The activist further said hunger was spreading across the country, adding that Nigerians should launch protests across the country.
“Since the last protest barely two months ago, the price of petrol has increased by almost 300 naira per litre. The value of the naira has continued to fall while market prices have risen. Bandits have taken over and annihilated entire communities. Floods are destroying our cities.”
“In this context, is it surprising that Nigerians would want to express their dissatisfaction with the failure of the Nigerian government to address issues that concern them?
“We are ready to take to the streets, and we are determined to do this peacefully. I can assure you that on October 1, there will be thousands of protests.
“The government will not drown out the cries of hunger and pain of the Nigerian people,” he said in an interview shared on his account.
Sowore’s assertion comes after the Nigerian police said they had no knowledge of the protests.
“We are fully prepared, our organisers are on the ground and there is no hiding. This is revolutionary time and Nigerians will take to the streets en masse from 7am on October 1,” he said in an interview later shared on X Platform.
In Lagos, protest organisers are set to begin a march from Ikeja Underbridge at 7:30am.
Check by OBASANJONEWS revealed that the NPF has begun deploying police officers to states to prevent violence.
Niger State Police said it had deployed personnel and security forces.
Armed security forces were deployed on Sunday to several key locations in Minna, the state capital, including popular markets and road junctions.
Niger State Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said, “Niger State Police will deploy sufficient personnel and assets for public safety and order.” The state Commissioner of Police, Shaul Danmanman, directed the Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and DPOs to intensify police presence in their respective areas to prevent any disturbances in the peace.
“The police have also engaged with trade union leaders, youth and students leaders and other key stakeholders in the state to ensure and maintain relative peace that will foster economic growth and development in the state.” He also confirmed that they had deployed personnel to strategic locations.
In Kaduna, the state police said it had taken proactive measures to prevent possible violence during planned protests in the state.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Besland Onuoha, advised the organisers of the protests to rethink their plans and give the government time to get the country’s economy back on its feet.
Onuoha said this while speaking with members of the Kogi State chapter of the Take It Back Movement at their command in Lokoja on Saturday.
READ ALSO: October 1 Protest: Police Secure Flashpoints as APC, Opposition Clash
A statement on Sunday by the PPRO of the Kogi Command, William Ayah, read in part:
The findings indicate that security operatives are also preparing in other parts of the country.
National President of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said preparations for the protests are “in full swing”, noting that there are no plans to go underground as the protests have continued despite the repressive measures taken by the Tinubu-led government having done nothing. False.
“Preparations are in full swing across the country and we will take to the streets as planned on Tuesday, October 1, not only to exercise our constitutional right to protest but also to reiterate our opposition to the neoliberal direction of the Tinubu administration. We are not going underground and we are not committing any crimes. We are within our rights and within the law.”
“So, we are openly organising and operating despite the repressive measures of the Tinubu-led government. But we do not care about that as we have not committed any crime. If anyone is in the wrong, it is the Tinubu administration, which has chosen to ignore the aspirations and demands of Nigerians, and the police, whose repressive measures continue to violate the constitutional rights of the people. But we will not flinch and the protest will go ahead as planned.”
Similarly, Damilare Adenola, Mobilisation Director of the Take It Back Movement, said: “Protesting is not a crime. I am not running away, I have done nothing wrong.
Rivers State spokesman for the Take It Back Movement, Andy Akpotive, said the aim of the protests was to hold the country’s politicians to account.
Akpotive said: “We insist that October 1, 2024, gives us the opportunity, window and scope to take to the streets again and we will not be intimidated, enslaved and impoverished.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government maintained a court order to confine the protests to two specific locations in Lagos.
The state reiterated this as organisers gear up for protests scheduled for October 1, 2024 in Lagos and other states.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro (SAN), while responding to questions from journalists on Sunday, advised organisers to avoid disruption of socio-economic activities in the state, stressing that the governor’s directive to the Commissioner of Police to safeguard public safety remains in force.
