Nigeria-'Revolution Now' protest hits major cities as Several Protesters arrested

 Anti government protests were organised on independence day

The Revolution Now protests took place across Nigeria in all the major cities on 60^th Independence Day of Nigeria. The protesters stormed Ojota and Maryland axis to express disgust against what they termed bad governance in Nigeria.

Nigerian security officers have stormed the major cities where #Revolution Now protesters are demanding an end to bad governance and leadership, to arrest protesters. The protest was held in major cities like Abuja, Lagos and Osun State.

Dozens of protesters were arrested by Police. One protestor said that “We are tired of Buhari and we want to tell the whole world that we are tired. Even with the entire police mobilisation, we are here to show them our determination to confront this government.

The protest leader and former presidential candidate Sowore, explained that protest is to demand reversal of: “anti-people policies implemented by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

“These harsh policies that have burnt a burdensome hole into the pockets of the Nigerian people are coming at a time when citizens are recovering from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis that was also mismanaged by the Buhari’s government further plunging already struggling citizens into deeper financial problems.

“It also comes at a time when there is an unprecedented dictatorial-style crackdown on free speech, dissent, activism, journalism and the right to associate and congregate peacefully and protests.

Meanwhile, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) attacked and arrested some #Revolution Now protesters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The hundreds of protesters gathered at Nelson Mandela Park, Old Garage, Osogbo, were first dispersed with teargas around 9 a.m. on Thursday. After they regrouped, some armed SSS officials again visited the scene and 11 protesters were arrested.

The Coalition for Revolution (CORE), the organisers of the #Revolution Now protest, has announced plans to hold a mass action against poor governance in Nigeria on October 1st.

The group is led by a former presidential candidate and publisher Omeili Sowore The #Revolution Now protest, which was first staged in August 5, 2019 and the second edition on the same date this year, held across major cities in Nigeria.

However, the peaceful demonstrations have been met with a clampdown by security operatives, resulting in arrests and incarceration of many protesters.

Amongst its demands, CORE called for the reversal of the hike in the price of petrol from N148 to N151, an end to” “state-supervised and approved impunity under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari” and the sacking of all service chiefs in the country due to their “proven incompetence in finding a lasting solution to the Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed and is still claiming the life of Nigerians daily.”

Others include; the respect for the rule of law and an end to the victimisation of critics and extra-judicial killings by law enforcement officers.

“The release of all political detainees and prisoners of conscience across the country and the dismissal of trumped-up charges leveled against them. Payment of a living wage and social security benefits to all Nigerians so that they can live a dignified existence.

Stop taking foreign loans that would burden and enslave future generations.  Introduce Swift electoral reform and the introduction of diaspora voting before the 2023 general elections. Take necessary actions to protect the Nigeria’s environmental resources from thieves, poachers and a greater commitment to finding a solution to the climate crisis.

The creation of alternative, cleaner and cheaper sources of electricity for every Nigerian household and businesses,” the group said in its list of demands.

According to CORE’s schedule, the protest march take place in all 36 states across Nigeria as well as some places in London, Sweden, Netherlands, San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, Germany and Canada.

                                                             Khalid Bhatti