Following the recent wave of EndBadGovernance protests that brought economic activities to a standstill across Nigeria, organizers are plotting a fresh series of demonstrations set to unfold in October.
Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential hopeful representing the African Action Congress (AAC), confirmed this development on Saturday.
Previously, from August 1 to 10, Nigerian youth mobilized for nationwide protests addressing the dire economic circumstances plaguing the nation.
What began as a peaceful 10-day demonstration was tragically overtaken by violent actors, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of several lives. Reports indicate that at least 17 individuals lost their lives across Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa, with numerous others suffering serious injuries due to a strong crackdown by security forces on demonstrators.
In total, over 1,135 individuals were apprehended nationwide amidst the chaos that ensued during the protests.
In Kano State, some individuals, posing as protesters, allegedly vandalized government properties, destroyed critical documents, and looted private assets. Disturbingly, a faction was even seen waving Russian flags while advocating for military governance in Nigeria.
The police and security agencies arrested approximately 873 suspects in Kano alone, with 76—including a foreign national—transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation on sedition charges due to their display of Russian flags.
When questioned about the status of detained protesters during an interview, Sowore cryptically remarked, “We are currently on their matter.”
He later confirmed that some protesters have been released, while efforts continue to secure the release of others. “We are working to ensure all detained individuals are freed and have, indeed, succeeded in securing the release of some. We owe a debt of gratitude to various human rights lawyers who have dedicated their time and resources to assist these recent victims of rights abuses. The federal government will soon face an ultimatum to release all arrested protesters if their reckless and obstinate behavior continues.”
The upcoming October protests appear to be a reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s perceived inaction regarding the demands of the demonstrators. The EndBadGovernance group made a total of 15 demands, primarily calling for the reversal of policies that have exacerbated the high cost of living, including the contentious fuel subsidy.
Among their demands are proposals to “dissolve the Senate, retain the House of Representatives, and transition lawmaking to a part-time commitment; establish a minimum wage of N250,000 for Nigerian workers; unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; demilitarize the South East; release and compensate all ENDSARS and political detainees; eliminate banditry, terrorism, and violent crime; reform security agencies to prevent ongoing human rights violations; and initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the judiciary to eradicate corrupt judges and ensure citizens access to genuine justice, along with facilitating diaspora voting.”
However, according to the organizers, President Tinubu’s address to the nation on the sixth day of the protests failed to adequately address these critical demands, prompting the youth to mobilize for additional protests.
Sowore noted that, in contrast to the August protests, the planned October demonstrations—dubbed #FearlessInOctober—will be more extensive.
Regarding rumors of ongoing negotiations with the federal government, Sowore stated, “I am not involved in any discussions. Our focus is on organizing our next series of prolonged protests under the banner of #FearlessInOctober.”
