Nigerians Commence Protests Against Bad Governance on 64th Independence Day

Nigerians have commenced the announced #FearlessOctober protests on Tuesday at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos State and the country’s capital, Abuja.

The protest has attracted many operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), including Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps officials and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Leading the team of police officers in Lagos State is the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.

In Lagos, however, protest organisers met with CP Ishola on Saturday, September 28, who assured protesters of “maximum security” and “professionalism”.

In attendance at the meeting were: Dabiradura Adeyinka, Alex Omotehnse, I. Tobiloba, Lawal Adewale, Adewale Ojo, Declan I., Funmi Jolade Ajayi, Akintunde Adedeji, Balogun Hameed, Aghedo Stephen, Edafe Oghenebrume, H.O.T. Duro, Isaac Obasi, Soweto, Oloye Adeniji, Aishat Omolara, Barrister Chuks Nwobi, Emmanuel Ajide Esq., Femi Akinyemi, Esq. (Falana & Falana Chambers) and Comrade Oguntunji.

With the commencement of the protest on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary Day, Nigerians are out on the street demanding an end to bad governance consisting of inflation, high cost of living, and shortcomings of the government.

These demands emanated from President Bola Tinubu’s policies following the withdrawal of subsidies and failure to address foreign exchange rates and inflations in the country.

Despite the urgent demands by the protesters, President Tinubu chose not to address them directly, nor heed to the warning of human rights groups, but instead urged Nigerians to exercise patience.

We [government] are doing everything possible to reduce the cost of living,” he stated during his speech for Nigeria’s Independence Day.

Meanwhile, a report by SaharaReporters indicated the deployment of teargas against protesters at the Federal Capital Territory where the office as President resides.

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About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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Mayowa Durosinmi is a Nigerian investigative reporter for West Africa Weekly with reports focusing on politics, human rights, security and health in West Africa and the Sahel region.

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