Ahead of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, organizers who were previously anonymous have revealed their identities.
According to The PUNCH, they remain undeterred and plan to hit the streets on August 1 to protest against bad governance, hardship, and hunger.
At least 26 groups have announced their participation, including Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, Initiative for Change, Take it Back Movement, Revolution Now, and others. They have written to 20 state governments, seeking permission to use state infrastructure for the protest.
Some key organizers, including the Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, Omoyele Sowore, have listed protest locations in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The planned locations span across Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Enugu, Jigawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and more.
Sowore urged Nigerians to add their towns or cities if they were not listed. Locations in Lagos include Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki/Ajah, Badagry, Ikeja, and Epe.
In Kano, the main town is listed, as well as Azare and Bauchi town in Bauchi State, Enugu city and Nsukka in Enugu State, and Dutse and Kazaure in Jigawa State. Ado-Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti State, and Calabar in Cross River State, are also included.
Director of Mobilisation for the Take it Back Movement, Federal Capital Territory, Damilare Adenola, said the protest is backed by multiple groups and requested the use of Eagle Square from the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to accommodate protesters.
Tunde Thomas of Nigerians Against Hunger expressed the need for government intervention to end hunger. Ocean Panem, Secretary-General of the Initiative for Change, emphasized that the protest aims to echo the voices of all Nigerians and is not a riot.
A student group leader, who remained anonymous, indicated that members of her group, primarily law and history students, would also participate in the protest.
National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro, insisted that nothing would stop the protest, dismissing claims of withdrawal by another northern group as propaganda.
The Take it Back Movement accused the DSS of freezing its UBA account to hinder their efforts and threatened legal action if the account was not unfrozen within 24 hours.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, set guidelines for the protest, urging groups to submit their details to state commissioners of police to ensure the protest remains peaceful.
He highlighted the need for proposed protest routes, assembly points, and contact details of organizers.
Despite tension and warnings from state and non-state actors, the organizers are resolute.
President Bola Tinubu has asked for more time to address their concerns.
However, the Department of State Services warned against proceeding, citing plans by criminal elements to hijack the protest.
The Defence Headquarters expressed concerns that the protest could lead to anarchy. The police have increased their presence in major cities to maintain order.
Sowore reassured that the protest would be peaceful and emphasized the long-term goal of ending poor governance.
Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians warned the government against disrupting the protest and cited prevailing issues like hunger and corruption as motivating factors.
The Active Citizens Group Nigeria’s Lagos State chapter informed the state Commissioner of Police of their participation, planning to protest on two routes; the mainland route from NAHCO Bus Stop to the International Airport, Ikeja, and the Island route from Marwa Bus Stop, Lekki Phase 1, to Eti-Osa Local Government.
