Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately engage in dialogue with the leaders of protests planned for tomorrow, October 1, 2024.
The CSOs expressed concern over the delay in Tinubu’s commitment to address the grievances of the protesters.
READ ALSO: Nationwide protest planned for October 1 over rising hardship
As Nigeria approaches its 64th Independence Day, tensions are escalating due to the anticipated nationwide protests. These demonstrations are a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance movement that emerged in August, where thousands of Nigerians rallied for reforms in response to rising hardships.
The ongoing economic challenges, particularly the surge in fuel prices, have fueled frustrations among citizens, prompting many to take to the streets. Additionally, the continued detention of over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters, charged with treason, exacerbates the unrest. While some protesters have secured bail, it comes with a hefty price tag of N10 million each, particularly affecting the ten charged in Abuja.
Leaders from prominent CSOs, including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), addressed the situation through their spokesperson, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani. They emphasized the need for peaceful protest while urging Tinubu to honor his promise of dialogue.
Rafsanjani criticized the government’s inaction, stating that the lack of discussions indicates a failure to address the underlying issues. “President Tinubu promised to hold dialogue with protesters and Nigerian stakeholders, but he has not followed through. This signals that the government may not be willing to address the concerns that led to the August protests,” he said.
To avert the planned demonstrations on October 1, Rafsanjani advised the president to demonstrate genuine commitment by engaging in meaningful dialogue to resolve the pressing issues facing Nigerians.
In light of the upcoming protests, protest leaders have encouraged participants to conduct themselves peacefully and to avoid any violent confrontations or vandalism of public property.
