As the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest draws closer, previously anonymous organizers have stepped forward to reveal their identities and confirm their commitment to the demonstration on August 1.
The groups, numbering at least 26, have expressed their determination to protest against bad governance, economic hardship, and hunger.
According to Saturday Punch, the organizers have written to at least 20 state governments, seeking permission to use state infrastructure for their civic activities.
Some of the notable groups include Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, Initiative for Change, Take it Back Movement, Revolution Now, and Human Rights Co-Advocacy Group.
The Convener of the Revolution Now Movement and a former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, released a list of locations where the protests will take place across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He urged Nigerians to join the movement, stating that the protest aims to draw attention to the governance issues plaguing the country.
The Director of Mobilisation for the Take it Back Movement in FCT, Damilare Ademola, emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest and highlighted that they had written to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, requesting the use of Eagle Square.
The group has demanded a 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for citizens participating in the protest.
Tunde Thomas, representing Nigerians Against Hunger, voiced the group’s demand for an end to hunger, urging the government to intervene.
The Secretary-General of the Initiative for Change, Ocean Panem, reiterated that the protest is a peaceful way to echo the voices of all Nigerians.
Jabir Yaro, National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, declared that nothing would stop the protest and dismissed claims of withdrawal by another northern group as propaganda.
He stated that millions are expected to join the protest and that they have informed security agencies about their plans.
Thomas while speaking to Punch, said Nigeria was tired of the hunger in the land, adding that the government should intervene.
He said, “Our demands are simple – End hunger. We cannot be the most populous Black nation in the world and be hungry.”
The Secretary-General of the Initiative for Change, Ocean Panem, said the August 1 protest was not a riot but a way to “echo the voices of all Nigerians.”
“The country is in a mess. We need to recognise that. Members of our group are mostly in the Middle Belt and in Cross River. We would come out en masse and make sure we don’t stop till our demands are met,” he said.
A student group leader, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, said members of her group, who are mostly law students and students of history, would storm the streets on August 1 to protest.
Speaking in an interview with the platform, the National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro, said, “Nothing will stop this protest. Nobody in this world can stop this protest. It will happen, and everybody should come out en masse to protest. No level of intimidation will stop us.”
Reacting to the withdrawal from the planned protest by another northern group, he said, “Those were APC boys who were paid for propaganda; we are the youth leaders, and we are set for this protest. We are expecting millions of people for this protest. We have informed the security agencies, and we are ready for it.”
