Millions of Nigerians are expected to be gathered in different parts of the country between August 1 and 10, 2024, to express their outrage and frustration with a government they believe, has consistently failed to meet their yearnings and aspirations since it came to power in May 2023.
The protest is being organized by a group of youths which goes by a hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria2024 and is expected to be joined by other activists across the country and civil society groups. The hashtag has been trending on the social media, with the call on the Nigerians to troop out on those appointed days. This is reminiscent of the popular 2020 #EndSars protests that shook the country to its very foundations.
Africa Health Report (AHR) gathered that the aim of the mass action is to draw attention to the pervasive poverty, soaring prices of food and other essential commodities and astronomical inflation occasioned by the Tinubu’s harsh economic policy and social inequality that have come to define the country’s political landscape.
The organizers are also agitating that some 12 points listed on their posters and hand bills as bad policies of the Tinubu administration should be reversed. This includes what they refer to as ‘subsidy scam”. They want the federal government to revert to N300 per liter so that lives can be better for ordinary Nigerians. They also want electricity tariffs that are affordable for all. Others include reduction of tertiary education fees, import duties reduction and some others.
The leadership of the group is still largely unknown, beyond the frenzy of the social media by those who buy into the proposed action. The protest is inspired by Kenya’s youth-led protests that saw the Finance Bill 2024 rejected with President William Ruto announcing drastic changes in his administration to align with the expectations of Kenyans.
AHR contacted the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benjamin Hundeyin on the proposed protest. The PPRO directed our correspondent to inquire at the Police Complaint unit, where a police officer said the Command was not aware of the protest.
