The RevolutionNow Movement and the #TakeItBack Movement on Wednesday staged coordinated protests in Abuja and Lagos, demanding urgent government action over worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity and xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The demonstrations, held under the theme “Festival of the Oppressed,” attracted scores of protesters carrying placards and banners condemning the rising cost of living, insecurity and attacks on Nigerians abroad. The protesters also urged the Federal Government to take stronger diplomatic measures to protect Nigerians living in South Africa.
In Abuja, the protest was led by human rights activist and convener of the RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, who said the demonstration was intended to remind Nigerians of what he described as the need for an “imminent revolution.”
Addressing journalists, Sowore said the movement would continue to push for accountability, reforms and improved welfare for Nigerians.
He demanded a ₦500,000 national minimum wage for workers, the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, the withdrawal of criminal charges against activists and government critics, and called for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave office.
“Today, August 5, we have come to remind the whole country that the revolution is necessary and imminent,” Sowore said, adding that Nigerians were tired of hunger, corruption, insecurity and poor governance.
He also disclosed that similar protests were taking place in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country, describing the demonstrations as the beginning of a sustained campaign for political and socio-economic reforms.
The protest in Abuja ended peacefully without reports of violence.
In Lagos, however, the demonstration took a different turn after security operatives dispersed protesters with tear gas following an alleged attempt by suspected hoodlums to infiltrate the gathering at Maryland.
Witnesses said the protest initially proceeded peacefully, with demonstrators singing solidarity songs and chanting slogans before the situation became chaotic after suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked protesters with stones.
Some journalists covering the protest were reportedly assaulted during the incident, while police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, forcing protesters, journalists and passersby to flee.
The Lagos State Coordinator of the #TakeItBack Movement, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, alleged that armed men attacked protesters before the planned march from Maryland to Ojota could commence.
According to him, heavy security deployment and the presence of individuals allegedly linked to political groups forced many protesters to disperse before the demonstration could fully begin.
He claimed he had to remove a T-shirt bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” after observing the heavy presence of security personnel and individuals wearing clothing promoting the “Renewed Hope” campaign.
Taofeek also alleged that he and other activists temporarily sought refuge in a nearby shop before later meeting other protesters who had fled the protest ground.
The Head of Legal Aid of the #TakeItBack Movement, Bolaji Oluwatosin, criticised the disruption of what he described as a peaceful protest, arguing that citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression.
Responding to allegations of harassment, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, denied that security operatives targeted peaceful protesters.
According to him, police officers were deployed to protect demonstrators and maintain public order, but intervened after hoodlums allegedly attempted to hijack the protest to attack residents and rob members of the public.
“The protest started peacefully with policemen providing the protesters the much-needed protection,” Fatai said, adding that those dispersed were hoodlums attempting to exploit the gathering.
Normalcy later returned to the Maryland area, although security personnel remained on ground to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
August 5 has become an annual day of protest for supporters of the RevolutionNow Movement since its launch by Sowore in 2019. The demonstrations have consistently focused on governance, economic conditions and political reforms.
The latest protests come amid continuing public concerns over inflation, the high cost of living and insecurity following economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
The demonstrations also recalled the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests held between August 1 and 10, 2024, during which thousands of Nigerians protested rising living costs. Those protests turned violent in several states, resulting in deaths, injuries and widespread destruction of property.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International later reported that at least 24 people were killed during the 2024 demonstrations and called for accountability over the actions of security personnel.
