- Protesters adamant
…DSS, Police issue warning, as protest organizers insist on action
By Olawale Lamina
Following its allusion to the mood of the country, the federal government has decided to stage a low-key 64th Independence anniversary, come Tuesday October 1, 2024, even against the backdrop of the planned nationwide protests by the organizers of the EndBad Governance, who have been disgruntled by the situations of the country that foisted hardship on majority of the citizens.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume made government’s plans known during his chat with the newsmen that President Tinubu’s government is not oblivious of the economic situations faced by Nigerians.
But, concerned activists have deemed the planned demonstration right based on the increasing cost of living and general inflation and security situations.
To lend credence to the protesters argument, on September 27, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, revealed that prices of commodity items like beans, Rice, read, egg have continued to soar across the country. The NBS data showed that, for instance, a kilogram of beans rose by 271.55 percent on a year-on-year basis to N2,574.63 in August 2024 from N692.95 recorded the same period last year.
Similarly, the NBS revealed its statistics on a month-on-month basis, the price of beans increased to 5.31 percent to N2,444.81 in July 2024.
The bureau stressed that the average price of 1kg Local rice sold loose went up by 148.41 percent from N 737.11 in August 2023 to N1,831.05 in August 2024, while there was an increase of 3.65 percent on a month-on-month basis, adding that the price of medium size eggs (12 pieces) experienced significant price increases by N121.92 percent from N1,031.55 in August of last year to N2,289.19 in August 2024.
In view of these realities, organizers of the nationwide protests who codenamed their demonstration FearlessInOctober claimed that President Bola Tinubu failed to acknowledge their demands, stimulating the October 1 nationwide protest.
In a statement jointly signed by the Education Rights Campaign, ERC, Movement for Fundamental Change, MFC Youth Rights Campaign, YRC, Joint Action Front, JAF, and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance, PACOR-Nigeria, the group emphasized that the demands brought forward during the August protest March in the country were not addressed.
They charged Nigerians to engage in peaceful protests against what they described as “anti-poor policies”, which include the removal of fuel subsidy.
The joint statement read in part: “As we speak, the price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1900 per litre depending on which parts of the country you are.
“Meanwhile, less than two years ago, a liter of fuel did not cost more than N200 per litre. This is outrageous. This is intolerable. As a direct consequence of this increment, life has become unbearable for many Nigerian people.
“Many are starving as the increase in fuel price has also impacted food prices. Inflation has rendered the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage irrelevant and incapable of bringing any relief to Nigerian workers.”
Speaking on the trajectories so far as Nigeria marks another independence anniversary, Elder Statesmen, Robert Clarke, SAN, blamed the problems of Nigeria on corruption which he traced to the executive both at the national and state levels.
The elder statesman who spoke on the sidelines of Arise TV programme, The Morning Show, which focused on the nation’s forthcoming independence, condemned the governors for having too much powers autocratic and amasse wealth to the detriment of the people.
He noted that even the nation’s electoral process had been marred by money politics , where the will of the people no longer matters.
Security agents warm protesters
Prior to the forthcoming Independence Day celebration, the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services, DSS have jointly cautioned protesters against disorderly conduct.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olarenwaju Ishola, who spoke on Friday during a town hall meeting town hall meeting with stakeholders and other security agencies.
Ishola warned those who may want to foment trouble to steer clear of the state. He stated that the police will be alive to its constitutional responsibility to maintain safety and order during planned protests.
He noted that as long as it is within the right of individuals to protests, the police will also ensure that hoodlum don’t hijack the protests.
On its own part, the Director of the Department of State Service in Lagos State,Mr. Dapo Amao, also recognized the rights of the citizens and warned that protests must be done in a civilised way.
About The Author
