Nationwide protest against the worsening economic hardship, insecurity and the ‘shrinking civic space’ under the President Bola Tinubu administration will hold on Thursday, June 12, the Democracy Day.
The protest is being organised by the ‘Take It Back Movement, it was learned.
Already, the group has reportedly released a list of venues across the country where they will converge for a scheduled protest.
National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, while speaking in an interview with journalists in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Monday, said the protest would take place in at least 20 locations nationwide.
He said, “In Osun State, it will be at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo. In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8.00 am. In Lagos, we have four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting by 7 am.
“In Akure, Ondo State, we will gather at Cathedral Junction by 8 am, and in Benin City, Edo State, at the Museum Ground by 9 am. In Niger State, the venue is Gida Matasa at 8 am.
“In Yobe, we will meet at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu by 7:30 am, while in Oyo State, it is Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan by 8 am.
“In Bauchi, the protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta, by 8 am.”
He listed five locations for Delta State as Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele; Summit Junction and Koka Junction in Asaba; Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli Effurun Roundabout, PTI Junction, and DSC Roundabout in Warri; and Police Station Junction in Abraka.
“In Adamawa, we will meet at Juppu Jam Road, Yola, by 8 am. In Borno State, the venue is Kasuwan Gamboru Flyover by 8 am,” he added.
According to him, the protest, fixed to coincide with Nigeria’s Democracy Day, was meant to demand accountability and reaffirm Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
“Our demands have not changed. We are using June 12 as a day to exercise our democratic rights as Nigerians to demand accountability and democratic governance.
“The Constitution clearly states that the primary responsibility of the government is the security and welfare of the people. All these have completely failed under the government of Tinubu,” Sanyaolu said.
He cited the report by Amnesty International that over 10,000 Nigerians had lost their lives to insecurity since Tinubu assumed office.
“Over 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Thousands have been displaced from their homes due to forced evictions and insecurity.
“For instance, in Benue State alone, over 40,000 people are displaced, while in Plateau, the figure is about 68,000. This is the state of welfare and security in the country,” he said.
The activist also accused the government of stifling dissent and cracking down on opposition voices.
“Under this administration, the civic space is under attack. Freedom of speech is under threat as government critics and opposition voices are being hounded.
“These are the issues we want to bring to public attention by expressing our democratic rights,” he added.
Sanyaolu warned security agencies against any form of repression during the demonstrations, noting that the right to protest was guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
“To the security agencies, we want to state categorically that they must protect protesters, not repress them.
“It is a constitutional mandate and a lawful one. Nigerians have the right to protest, and during such actions, the police must ensure protesters are safe and that their voices are heard , “ he said.
