Despite Tinubu’s intimidation, #EndBadGovernance protest will hold, declare JAF, others

In a dramatic turn of events, a coalition of youth, civil societies, socialists, and radical groups has announced the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, set to take place on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Lagos and other parts of the country. Despite threats and intimidation from the Tinubu government, the protest will go ahead, signaling a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s fight against oppressive governance.

The coalition consists of Joint Action Front (JAF), PRP Vanguard, Yoruba Revolutionary Movement (YOREM), Amilcar Cabral Ideological School Movement (ACIS-M), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Movement for African Emancipation (MAE), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Precision, Electrical, and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA) and Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR).

Speaking at a press conference, coalition representatives outlined the extreme measures taken by President Tinubu’s administration to discredit and suppress the protest. Over the past three weeks, the government and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) have launched a relentless campaign to demonize the movement, branding protesters with unprintable names and threatening them with violence and personal harm. Paid agents have even threatened to deploy the “oro cult” against protesters in Lagos, while security agencies have turned a blind eye to these intimidation tactics.

The Department of State Security (DSS) has been particularly brazen in its attempts to sabotage the protest, spreading false claims of foreign mercenaries and engaging in covert operations against activists. This unprecedented state-sponsored repression, the coalition argues, reveals a new era of civilian dictatorship under President Tinubu, a man who once claimed to fight for democracy but now undermines its very principles.

Amidst this turmoil, the fundamental reasons for the protest remain unaddressed. The coalition highlights the devastating impact of Tinubu’s anti-poor, neo-liberal policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy announced on May 29, 2023, without democratic consultation. This policy has led to skyrocketing inflation, severe devaluation of the national currency, and widespread hunger, with over 26 million Nigerians at risk of starvation this year. Corruption continues unabated, with the ruling elite enriching themselves at the expense of the masses.

Determined to fight back, the coalition has announced their support for the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, calling on youth, students, the unemployed, workers, and traders to join the peaceful demonstration. The protest will begin at 7 am under the Ikej Bridge in Lagos. The coalition’s cardinal demands include reversing fuel and electricity prices to pre-May 29, 2023 levels, ending hunger and hardship, recalling victimized activists, providing free quality healthcare, and prosecuting corrupt politicians.

The coalition emphasizes that the protest is peaceful and warns against any attempts to incite violence. They call on security agencies to refrain from infiltrating the protest with the aim of blaming the movement for any disturbances.

In their concluding remarks, the coalition acknowledges that solving Nigeria’s deep-rooted socio-economic issues will require more than a single protest. However, they view this demonstration as a crucial first step in empowering the Nigerian masses to demand a new system that prioritizes the well-being of the people over the enrichment of a few.

As Nigeria stands on the brink of significant change, the nation’s youth and marginalized communities are ready to make their voices heard, challenging the status quo and demanding a better future.