Sowore Unveils Protesters’ Non-Negotiable Demands Ahead of #FearlessInOctober Mass Action

As the #FearlessInOctober mass action approaches, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has presented a list of non-negotiable demands to President Tinubu’s government on behalf of protesters.

Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, emphasized that these demands reflect the urgent needs of the Nigerian people and should be addressed without delay.

Sowore, who laid out the demands during an interview with Daily Trust, said that their demands from the Bola Tinubu-led government touched on the economy, jobs, security and conditional reforms.

Focusing on the release of political prisoners and economic issues, Sowore said, “We want the release of all prisoners from last demonstrations and all political prisoners, including Nnamdi Kanu; living wage for Nigerian workers; reverse removal of subsidy protections for the masses; urgently address banditry, terrorism and other security issues;

“Introduce job creation programmes targeting the millions of unemployed youth; power sector and infrastructure investments to revitalise the economy; education sector reform; restructuring and constitutional reform; judicial sector reform and electoral reforms including diaspora voting.”

He added that,”Inflation has gone up. Insecurity has increased. Our people are drowning in floods because the government failed to secure the dams. Bandits wiped out an entire village just a few weeks ago. Things have gotten worse for the Nigerian people.”

“The protests will be peaceful and they will be national, across the country. The protests will hold across all parts of Nigeria because the scale of the devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship that this government has unleashed on Nigerians is national. I will emphasise again that these will be peaceful protests, as they’ve always been.

“The last protests were peaceful, yet the government met the protesters with batons and bullets.

“We will not be deterred, though. Our only weapon is truth, and no amount of force or violence will prevent us from speaking truth to power,” he stressed further.

He added, “Between the last protest just two months ago and now, petrol prices have risen by almost N300 per litre. The naira has further devalued, and prices have increased in the market. Bandits have taken over and killed off entire communities. Floods are devastating our cities.

“Under these circumstances, can anyone be surprised that the Nigerian people want to voice their displeasure with this government’s failure to address the issues affecting them?” he questioned.

“We are prepared to come out to protest. We are determined to do so peacefully. I can assure you that thousands of voices will be raised in protest on October 1. The pangs of hunger and groans of pain of the Nigerian people will not be drowned out by the government.

“How does the removal of subsidy protections for the common man benefit Nigerians? We have seen petrol prices go from N197 per liter to N1,100 and Nigerians should wait? Wait for what? Wait until they are all dead from hunger and suffering?

“Why should we wait before the government reverses its wicked policies on education? Tinubu and his co-travelers in government are all beneficiaries of free and high quality public education. Yet they are denying Nigerian youth the same benefits they enjoyed. Why should we wait before the government begins to address the problems of insecurity?

“Why should we wait before workers are given a living wage? Afterall this government has continued on a buying spree – purchasing new bullet proof cars, new airplanes, yatchs and the like while telling us Nigeria is broke.

“It took them just two weeks to pass a bill and change the national anthem. They’ve demonstrated a capacity to move fast on some issues. Now we need them to move with the same speed on these pressing matters. No. The wait is over. We demand action now.”

#FearlessInOctober: Take-It-Back Movement Demands Police Protection for Protests Across 11 States and Abuja

The Take-It-Back Movement has formally demanded police protection for their upcoming #FearlessInOctober protests in 11 states and Abuja.

This was made known in a letter submitted to Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun by the movement’s legal counsel, Inibehe Effiong. The Take It Back Movement outlined its plans for demonstrations aimed at addressing pressing issues, such as fuel and electricity prices, inflation, and other hardships faced by Nigerians.

The protest, organised to start on Nigeria’s Independence Day, also aims to demand an end to bad governance and advocate for accountability from those in power.

In the letter, it is noted that the #FearlessInOctober protest serves as a call to action for citizens to voice their concerns and hold leaders accountable for the deteriorating state of the nation.

It also reaffirmed the commitment of the Take-It-Back Movement to peaceful advocacy while urging the police to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens participating in the demonstration.

The letter read, “We remain a public interest law firm committed to promoting social justice and human rights in Nigeria. Acting on the express instruction of the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, (our Clients), we write to notify you, pursuant to Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, of our Clients’ intention to organize a peaceful protest across various locations in Nigeria on the 1st of October, 2024.

“Our clients, a concerned citizens’ group will be staging the peaceful protest on 1 of October, 2024, to demand an end to bad governance and advocate for accountability from those in power. This protest is intended to serve as a call to action against the current socio-economic challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria.”

Outlining the designated gathering locations, “The Take-It-Back Movement will be gathering at the designated locations listed below, where they will march peacefully and orderly in the exercise of their constitutional right to freedom of expression:

Lagos State: Ikeja, under Bridge, Ogun State: Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Osun State: OAU Campus gate, lie-Ife, Ondo State: Cathedral Roundabout, Akure, Delta State: Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele and Gombe State: Rainbow Roundabout.

Other states are: Kwara State: Post Office. Underbridge, Adamawa State: Police Roundabout, Jimetta, Rivers State: Pleasure Park, Portharcourt, Yobe State: Damaturu Main Roundabout,nBorno State: Arewa Youths for Peace Office and Abuja: Eagle Square.”

“Sir, by virtue of Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, where a person or organization notifies the police of their intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting or procession will take place, shall mobilize personnel to provide security for the meeting, rally or procession.

“In view of the above section of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 which governs the operations of police officers in Nigeria, we respectfully request that you issue directives to Commissioners of Police across the designated protest areas and all relevant departments to provide adequate security measures, ensuring the protection of lives and property during the protest.

“We respectfully demand that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of our Clients are respected and not infringed upon as they embark on the peaceful protest.”

MEEVEET:
I can bet my Balls Tinubu or people in his government are the ones sponsoring this protest

Why you may ask? To divert attention from protests that can actually hurt Tinubu

The only demand Nigeria needs now electoral reforms... That's it.. That's all

MEEVEET:
I can bet my Balls Tinubu or people in his government are the ones sponsoring this protest

Why you may ask? To divert attention from protests that can actually hurt Tinubu

The only demand Nigeria needs now electoral reforms... That's it.. That's all

okomile:
Usual protests

Nothing will be achieved by d end of the day

Make pesin see Garri drink that day

We mooooove

Zoogeria we hail thee

JASONjnr:


How can Tinubu sponsor protest against himself?

Is he really that stupeed?

Missroyalluv:
Everything is possible in this country. Nigerians are very smart, but I don't know why we don't always channel it to positive side.
Imagine the person that brought the idea of anti protest in the first place to disrupt the real aim of the protester. That person must be a mastermind criminal. What if he decided to use that his brilliant mind for something positive?

Desusi:

As long as the people are not united, don't expectancy way forward.

JASONjnr:
Ghana is currently protesting and there is no intimidation of any kind.....

Protest is for the people to air their thoughts about the policies of the government....

But in Nigeria, if you protest, Tinubu will say you committed treason.

Kenya never arrested any youth for protesting....

If Nigeria was in Kenya's situation, the country wouldn't have survived it as there'd have been a civil war breakout.

okomile:
Usual protests

Nothing will be achieved by d end of the day

Make pesin see Garri drink that day

We mooooove

Zoogeria we hail thee

JASONjnr:
Ghana is currently protesting and there is no intimidation of any kind.....

Protest is for the people to air their thoughts about the policies of the government....

But in Nigeria, if you protest, Tinubu will say you committed treason.

Kenya never arrested any youth for protesting....

If Nigeria was in Kenya's situation, the country wouldn't have survived it as there'd have been a civil war breakout.

naptu2:


https://takeitbackglobal.com/2024/09/28/sowore-unveils-protesters-non-negotiable-demands-ahead-of-fearlessinoctober-mass-action/

MEEVEET:
I can bet my Balls Tinubu or people in his government are the ones sponsoring this protest

Why you may ask? To divert attention from protests that can actually hurt Tinubu

The only demand Nigeria needs now electoral reforms... That's it.. That's all