Presidency Takes Steps To Disrupt Planned Independence Day Protests

As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 64th Independence Day on October 1, 2024, the presidency is moving to address planned protests by various groups opposing current hardships attributed to “bad governance.” These protests, dubbed #FearlessInOctober or EndBadGovernanceProtestInNigeria 2.0, are set to follow a similar 10-day protest in August that saw thousands expressing grievances against government policies.

The August protests focused on issues such as the removal of petrol subsidies, the floating of the naira, and increased electricity tariffs. Despite warnings from authorities, the protests escalated into violence, resulting in attacks on individuals and infrastructure.

To prevent a recurrence of this unrest, the presidency is engaging with protest organizers ahead of October 1. Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga stated that while the government supports peaceful protests as a fundamental right, it remains concerned about potential riots similar to those witnessed in August and during the 2020 EndSARS protests.

“Government is not against any peaceful protest by Nigerians. However, we are apprehensive about such protests degenerating into riots,” Onanuga said. He emphasized that security agencies are in discussion with some organizers to ensure that the protests do not lead to chaos or allow external forces to destabilize the country.

Onanuga also pointed to signs of economic recovery, citing data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, many citizens continue to feel the pinch, with petrol prices soaring above N1,000 and the exchange rate exceeding N1,600 since the August protests.