In a move to address the nation's escalating economic and social issues, the organizers of the upcoming nationwide protest, set to take place from August 1 to August 10, have announced their 15 key demands from President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The protest, driven by the deteriorating economic situation, has garnered significant support, particularly from the youth demographic, who are determined to make their voices heard across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Despite governmental efforts to dissuade the movement, the organizers, led by former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, are resolute in their plans. The protest, dubbed “Days of Rage” and “EndBadGovernance”, aims to highlight the pressing economic and social issues facing the nation.
The core demands of the protest, as outlined by Sowore, are as follows:
Return of Fuel Subsidy: Protesters demand the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy to alleviate the burden of high fuel prices on citizens.
Addressing Power Sector Issues: A call for comprehensive reforms in the power sector to ensure reliable and affordable electricity.
Release of Nnamdi Kanu: The unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Diaspora Voting: Allowing Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in general elections.
New Constitution: Scrapping the 1999 constitution in favor of a new, people-made constitution through a sovereign National Conference followed by a National Referendum.
Abolition of the Senate: Dissolving the Senate and maintaining the House of Representatives as a part-time legislative body.
Minimum Wage Increase: Raising the minimum wage to N250,000 monthly for Nigerian workers.
Education Investment: Significant investment in education, providing grants instead of loans to students, and ensuring free and compulsory education for children.
Demilitarization of the South East: The release of all ENDSARS and political detainees and compensation for their wrongful detention.
Public Enterprise Rationalization: Reviewing and potentially reversing the sale of public enterprises to government officials and their associates.
Corruption-Free Subsidy Regime: Reinstating a subsidy regime that is free from corruption to reduce hunger, starvation, and poverty.
Probe Corrupt Leaders: Investigating past and present leaders who have looted the treasury, recovering stolen funds to invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Restructuring of Nigeria: Restructuring the country to better reflect its diversity, ensuring resource control, decentralization, and regional development.
End to Violent Crimes: Tackling banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes, and reforming security agencies to prevent human rights violations.
Judicial Reforms: Overhauling the judiciary to eliminate corrupt judges and officials, ensuring citizens have access to justice.
In response to the announced protest, President Bola Tinubu has called for calm, appealing to Nigerians to abandon the planned demonstrations. On Tuesday, he urged the youth to maintain faith in his administration’s ability to transform the nation, promising significant changes and improvements. while the date for the protest draws near, the nation waits with bated breath to see how events will unfold, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a brighter future for Nigeria.
