As the #FearlessInOctober mass action nears, human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, has outlined a series of non-negotiable demands for President Bola Tinubu’s government. These demands, which Sowore presented on behalf of protesters, highlight key areas that the Nigerian people urgently want addressed.
Sowore, in an interview, emphasized that the demands focus on pressing issues such as the economy, job creation, security, and critical reforms. He stressed that these demands reflect the widespread discontent in the country and must be tackled immediately to alleviate the challenges Nigerians are facing.
The mass action, scheduled for October, aims to draw attention to the economic and social struggles of the population, while urging the government to implement swift and meaningful changes. The protestors are calling for reforms that include improving economic conditions, enhancing job opportunities, and ensuring security across the country. Sowore made it clear that these issues cannot be postponed or negotiated, as they are essential for the welfare of the Nigerian people.
Focusing on the release of political prisoners and economic issues, Sowore said, “We want the release of all prisoners from last demonstrations and all political prisoners, including Nnamdi Kanu; living wage for Nigerian workers; reverse removal of subsidy protections for the masses; urgently address banditry, terrorism and other security issues;
“Introduce job creation programmes targeting the millions of unemployed youth; power sector and infrastructure investments to revitalise the economy; education sector reform; restructuring and constitutional reform; judicial sector reform and electoral reforms including diaspora voting.”
He added that,”Inflation has gone up. Insecurity has increased. Our people are drowning in floods because the government failed to secure the dams. Bandits wiped out an entire village just a few weeks ago. Things have gotten worse for the Nigerian people.”
“The protests will be peaceful and they will be national, across the country. The protests will hold across all parts of Nigeria because the scale of the devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship that this government has unleashed on Nigerians is national. I will emphasise again that these will be peaceful protests, as they’ve always been.”
“The last protests were peaceful, yet the government met the protesters with batons and bullets.”
“We will not be deterred, though. Our only weapon is truth, and no amount of force or violence will prevent us from speaking truth to power,” he stressed further.”
He added, “Between the last protest just two months ago and now, petrol prices have risen by almost N300 per litre. The naira has further devalued, and prices have increased in the market. Bandits have taken over and killed off entire communities. Floods are devastating our cities.”
“Under these circumstances, can anyone be surprised that the Nigerian people want to voice their displeasure with this government’s failure to address the issues affecting them?” he questioned.
“We are prepared to come out to protest. We are determined to do so peacefully. I can assure you that thousands of voices will be raised in protest on October 1. The pangs of hunger and groans of pain of the Nigerian people will not be drowned out by the government.”
“How does the removal of subsidy protections for the common man benefit Nigerians? We have seen petrol prices go from N197 per liter to N1,100 and Nigerians should wait? Wait for what? Wait until they are all dead from hunger and suffering?”
“Why should we wait before the government reverses its wicked policies on education? Tinubu and his co-travelers in government are all beneficiaries of free and high quality public education. Yet they are denying Nigerian youth the same benefits they enjoyed. Why should we wait before the government begins to address the problems of insecurity?”
“Why should we wait before workers are given a living wage? Afterall this government has continued on a buying spree – purchasing new bullet proof cars, new airplanes, yatchs and the like while telling us Nigeria is broke.”
“It took them just two weeks to pass a bill and change the national anthem. They’ve demonstrated a capacity to move fast on some issues. Now we need them to move with the same speed on these pressing matters. No. The wait is over. We demand action now.”
