Organizers of the #FearlessOctober1 protests have reaffirmed their commitment to hold demonstrations across Nigeria on October 1, 2024, despite potential resistance from the police, Department of State Services and the military.
According to The PUNCH, the protest aims to highlight the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the depreciation of the naira.
The protest, coinciding with Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, has seen widespread mobilization efforts, with activists urging Nigerians to join in from various parts of the country. In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the organizers have requested security protection during the protest, emphasizing their constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully.
“We have written to the Inspector General of Police, informing him of our protest locations and reminding him of the police’s duty to protect peaceful demonstrators,” said Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement. He added, “We will not submit to any form of repression by state agents.”
The protest is planned for multiple cities, with the Federal Capital Territory protest slated to take place at Eagle Square, and Lagos protesters gathering at Ikeja Under Bridge.
The organizers warned that the only condition under which they would cancel the demonstration is the immediate reversal of the fuel subsidy removal.
IGP Egbetokun, however, has instructed police officers to be deployed to strategic locations starting Monday, in an effort to prevent any disruption of public order. “Policemen should dress in camouflage and discourage civil society groups from participating in the protest,” he directed.
In response to these orders, Omoyele Sowore, a prominent protest leader, insisted that the demonstration would go ahead as planned.
“We are not afraid of the police. We are peaceful protesters, and there is no fear of violence on our side,” Sowore said, addressing concerns that the protest could turn violent.
Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer representing the organizers, criticized the police for summoning protest leaders, arguing that it was illegal to prevent citizens from exercising their rights. “The police are wrong to intimidate protesters. Their role is to protect, not harass,” he said.
Adeyanju further linked the government’s crackdown on previous protests, such as the #EndBadGovernance demonstration in August, to an attempt to stifle civic dissent.
“The detention of protesters from August has not deterred us. The youth will still come out for the #FearlessOctober1 protest,” he asserted.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for the movement, echoed this sentiment, stating that the protest is a continuation of previous campaigns against government policies.
“The #FearlessOctober1 protest is in line with the #EndBadGovernance movement. We will not be discouraged by the deployment of security forces,” Adenola said, reiterating the group’s demands for the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy, constitutional reforms, and the release of detained protesters.
Peluola Adewale, Secretary of the Democratic Socialist Movement, also criticized government attempts to discredit the protest by potentially sponsoring violence.
“We are peaceful, but we cannot rule out that the government might try to infiltrate our ranks with hired thugs. We want to warn against such tactics,” Adewale said.
Taiwo Hassan, another protest leader, reinforced the right to protest, noting that Nigerians were facing severe economic hardship.
“People are realizing that even if they don’t protest, their lives are still at risk from hunger and insecurity. We are not surrendering our rights to anyone, not the police, DSS, or military,” Hassan declared.
Meanwhile, in Katsina State, the police have assured citizens that measures are in place to ensure the protest does not result in chaos.
“We have deployed personnel to maintain law and order while respecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly,” said ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer. He urged protesters to act responsibly and in accordance with the law.
