Organizers of a planned nationwide protest, set to take place from August 1 to August 10, have revealed their key demands from President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The protest, called “Days of Rage” and “EndBadGovernance,” aims to draw attention to Nigeria’s economic difficulties and other issues.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, one of the protest’s leaders, shared the demands.
The protest will be held across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Sowore outlined the key demands:
“Scrap the 1999 constitution and replace it with a people-made Constitution through a sovereign National Conference followed by a National Referendum.”
“Abolish the Senate and keep the House of Representatives as a part-time lawmaking body.”
“Increase the minimum wage to at least N250,000 per month.”
“Invest heavily in education, provide grants instead of loans, and ensure free and compulsory education for all children.”
“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally, demilitarize the South East, and release all ENDSARS and political detainees with compensation.”
“Rationalize public enterprises sold to government officials and cronies.”
“Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to combat hunger and poverty.”
“Probe past and present leaders for corruption, recover stolen funds, and use them for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.”
“Restructure Nigeria to reflect its diversity, control resources, and promote regional development.”
“End banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes, and reform security agencies to prevent human rights violations.”
“Establish a special energy unit to improve the power sector.”
“Reconstitute the electoral body, INEC, to remove corrupt individuals.”
“Invest in public works and industrialization to create jobs for youths.”
“Shake up the judiciary to remove corrupt judges and ensure justice.”
“Allow diaspora voting.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has urged Nigerians to reconsider the protest, asking them to trust in his administration’s ability to improve the country.
He appealed: “I urge youths to keep faith and believe in our government’s plans for transformation.”
Governors, including Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), have warned against the protest. They emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations and voiced concerns about potential violence similar to the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Southeast governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and other figures such as the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and local government chairmen in Lagos State, have also cautioned against violent protests.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated the government’s position, urging protest organizers to reconsider their plans. A high-level security meeting at the Aso Villa, attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, was held to address potential security concerns related to the protest.
