The Nigeria Police Force’s state commanders have stationed men in areas prone to crises as masterminds behind the October 1 protest maintain that the demonstration on Independence Day will happen as slated.
Assuming the protest happens, enraged Nigerians will be taking to the streets for the second time in two months to show their discontent with the difficulties the country is facing due to the floating of the naira and the increase in petrol price, and cost of energy by the government of President Bola Tinubu.
The planners of the #FearlessOctober1 demonstration have stated that the protest is a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance protest, which held from August 1 to 10. Additionally, they said that the latest demonstration was fueled by Federal Government’s inability to tackle their requests, which include increased prices of foodstuff, government’s wastefulness, hunger in the land, human capital development, insecurity, electoral reforms and so on.
According to the group, in FCT, the protest would take place at the Eagle Square which is also the same venue of the Independence Day parade, while in Lagos, the protest would be held at the Ikeja Under Bridge.
Omoyele Sowore, human rights advocate and organizer of the protest, said, on Sunday, that they were “fully prepared” for the protest, which would start by 7am on the slated date.
His statement read: “We are fully prepared. Our organisers are on the ground and would not be going into hiding. These are revolutionary times, Nigerians will hit the streets en mass starting from 7am on October 1.”
The protest planners intend to start their parade at the Ikeja Under Bridge at 7:30am, in Lagos.