Presidency Prepares to Address Planned Independence Day Protest
As Nigeria approaches its 64th Independence Day celebration on October 1, 2024, the government is preparing for both the traditional festivities and a potential wave of public dissent. Certain groups have planned large-scale protests on this day, voicing their dissatisfaction with the current economic conditions, which they attribute to what they describe as "bad governance."
Background of the Planned Protests
The upcoming protests, tagged as #FearlessInOctober or EndBadGovernanceProtestInNigeria 2.0, are a continuation of the widespread demonstrations that took place in August 2024. During the 10-day protest in August, thousands of Nigerians across various states took to the streets to express their frustrations over several government policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies, the floating of the naira, and increased electricity tariffs. Despite warnings from authorities, the protests escalated into violence, resulting in damage to infrastructure and attacks on individuals.
Government's Stance on Peaceful Protests
In response to the planned Independence Day protests, the presidency has begun efforts to engage with the organizers in a bid to prevent a repeat of the August unrest. The Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, affirmed the government's support for peaceful protests but expressed concerns about the potential for violence.
“The government is not against any peaceful protest by Nigerians. After all, it is their fundamental right to stage any protest,” Onanuga stated. However, he emphasized that the government remains cautious about protests spiraling into riots, citing the August demonstrations and the 2020 EndSARS protests as examples of peaceful movements that turned destructive.
Ongoing Engagement with Protest Organizers
To mitigate the risk of violence, security agencies have been actively engaging with the protest organizers. According to Onanuga, these discussions aim to ensure that the protests do not devolve into chaos, as well as to prevent both internal and external forces from exploiting the situation for their own ends.
“Security agencies have been discussing with some of the organisers, and they are being monitored so that they do not plunge the country into chaos or allow themselves to be used by internal and external forces which want to subvert the country and the 16-month-old administration,” he added.
Economic Reforms and Public Frustration
The government insists that the ongoing economic reforms, which have been the focal point of public discontent, are already yielding positive results. Onanuga cited data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as indicators of economic progress. However, many Nigerians remain unconvinced, with the rising cost of living fueling anger and resentment.
Since the August protests, the economic situation has only worsened for many citizens. Petrol prices have surged to over N1,000 per litre, and the exchange rate has escalated beyond N1,600 per dollar, exacerbating the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Conclusion: Balancing Security and Public Dissent
As the country prepares for its Independence Day celebrations, the presidency faces the delicate task of balancing security with the constitutional right to protest. While efforts to engage with protest organizers are ongoing, the government remains apprehensive about the potential for unrest. Whether the Independence Day protests will remain peaceful or escalate into further violence remains to be seen, but the government is taking precautions to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control
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