Some civil society organizations (CSOs) under the aegis of #EndBadGovernance Movement have declared October 1, 2024, as a ‘National Day of Survival’ to protest the prevailing economic hardship sweeping through the country.
In a statement issued during a press conference at the International Press Centre in Lagos on Thursday, Hassan Soweto, national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), called on Nigerians to engage in peaceful protests nationwide against anti-poor policies.
The statement was jointly signed by Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Joint Action Front (JAF), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria).
The movement cited the lack of action from the federal government despite the #EndBadGovernance protests of August.
They said the protest aims to address grievances surrounding fuel price hike, rising food costs, and inflation’s impact on ordinary Nigerians.
The movement criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government for exacerbating poverty and hardship.
“We invite you on another journey to redeem our nation as we continue to stand against anti-poor policies,” reads the statement.
The movement accused President Tinubu’s administration of pursuing policies that disproportionately affect poor citizens, resulting in mass unemployment, inflation, and food insecurity.
Currently, fuel prices range from N900 to N1900 per litre across different parts of the country. Many people are starving due to devastating food price hikes caused by rising fuel prices. Inflation has made the N70,000 National Minimum Wage irrelevant and ineffective in providing relief to Nigerian workers.
At least ten multinational firms have left Nigeria since May last year due to economic conditions.
In light of these circumstances, we have decided to declare October 1st, 2024, as a National Day of Survival.
The movement demanded unconditional release for Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande, and all #EndBadGovernance protesters. They also demanded that people utilize this day to demand immediate release for all #EndSARS protesters in police custody.
“We call on Nigerians to come out in peaceful protests against excruciating conditions imposed by President Tinubu’s anti-poor capitalist policies,” said the statement.
Instead of celebrating Independence Day this year due to economic conditions, they proposed that October 1st be a day for fighting democratic rights and dignity.
The movement’s demands include reversing fuel price hike; reducing food prices; addressing insecurity; implementing N70,000 minimum wage across all sectors; prosecuting corrupt politicians; massive investment in public infrastructure; electoral reform including independent candidacy and diaspora voting; police protection; reversal of IMF/World Bank-inspired policies; reduction of electricity tariffs; abolition of school fees hike; restoration of naira value; provision of quality education; healthcare services; job creation; transparency in government spending; accountability in governance; strengthening democratic institutions; ending repression against opposition parties; restoration of fundamental human rights; protection for whistleblowers and activists; reversal of anti-people policies; promotion of social justice; empowerment for marginalized groups.
They asked Olanrewaju Ishola, Lagos state commissioner of police, for adequate security during their protest under Section 83(4) of Police Establishment Act 2020.
This declaration serves as a warning and urgent cry for President Tinubu’s administration to address our demands immediately. If our demands are not met, more protests will follow.
