Protests against hardship and poverty, scheduled for today, have commenced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos. The October 1 protest, dubbed #FearlessInOctober, follows the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August, which were ignited by the economic struggles many Nigerians are enduring.
ABUJA
In Abuja, protesters gathered at Utako Market, displaying signs with messages such as “Bad Governance has killed the dreams of Nigerian youth” and “Enough is Enough.”
One protester expressed their frustration, stating, “We are buying fuel at N1,000, and you expect us not to protest? We are hungry.”
LAGOS
In Lagos, hundreds of protesters assembled at Ikeja Underbridge on Tuesday morning. By 7:35 a.m., a significant security presence was noted. The protesters held placards reflecting their anger over deteriorating living conditions.
Tunde Aderibigbe, a protester, voiced the sentiments of many, saying, “Nigerians are hungry, there are no jobs, people are homeless, and healthcare is poor. It’s so bad that basic things are now seen as luxury.”
Aderibigbe and fellow protesters called for improved living conditions and immediate reforms.
These protests come on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide Independence Day address, in which he assured citizens of better days ahead and promised economic reforms to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians.