Toba Owojaiye, reporting
The organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests have presented a 17-point ultimatum to the Federal Government in advance of their planned demonstrations on October 1, 2024.
The group is demanding immediate action on several key issues, including the release of detained protesters, unfreezing of their assets, and compensation for the hardships endured during peaceful protests.
Among the demands is a call for the removal and prosecution of government officials accused of suppressing protests and violating human rights.
One of the movement’s leading figures, Omoyele Sowore, unveiled the list of demands, which also includes the scrapping of the 1999 Constitution. The group is pushing for its replacement with a new constitution that is created by the people and better reflects Nigeria’s diversity.
The demands also call for significant changes in the country’s socio-economic policies. The protesters are advocating for a minimum wage of at least N250,000 per month for Nigerian workers, a substantial investment in education, and the provision of grants instead of loans for students. They are also pushing for free and compulsory education for all children in Nigeria.
In addition, the group is calling for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the demilitarization of the South-East region. The release and compensation of all #ENDSARS and political detainees is another critical demand on the list.
The list further includes, ” Renationalizing publicly owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies.
“Reinstatement of a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation, and multidimensional poverty.
“The probe of past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, recover their loot, and deposit it in a special account to fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“Restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate its diversity, resource control, decentralization, and regional development.
“END BANDITRY, TERRORISM, AND VIOLENT CRIMES – Reforms of security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations and duplication of security agencies and enhance the physical security of Nigerian citizens.
“Establishment of a Special Energy Fund immediately to drive massive, corruption-free power sector development.
“Immediate reconstitution of the Nigerian Electoral Body @inecnigeria to remove corrupt individuals and partisan hacks appointed to manipulate elections.
Recall that on 1 August, Nigerians took to the streets in a protest tagged #EndBadGovernance, in response to President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
The demonstrators also voiced their frustration about the insensitivity of public officials and the overall lack of effective governance in the country.
Since he took power in 2023, the Tinubu administration has removed subsidy on petrol and electricity tariff, amid devaluation of the Nigerian currency. Although the government said the policy reforms are necessary to rejig the Nigerian economy, many Nigerians have been heavily affected by the ripple effects of the policies.
Truthlive news reported that Mr Tinubu addressed Nigerians about the protest but did not make any concessions.
