O moyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has released a comprehensive list of 14 demands directed at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, addressing critical governance issues in Nigeria. These demands come ahead of the anticipated ‘Days of Rage’ protests, scheduled to take place from late July to August 2024.
Although the specific organizers of the protests remain unnamed, Sowore, a prominent activist and critic of the government, has been actively promoting the planned demonstrations.
In a recent social media update, Sowore stated, “These demands reflect the input of Nigerians participating in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign. They are fundamental and represent the common issues raised by those seeking to address the governance crisis in Nigeria.”
The 14 demands outlined by Sowore are as follows:
New Constitution: Abolish the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a new constitution crafted through a Sovereign National Conference and a National Referendum.
Legislative Reform: Disband the Senate, retain the House of Representatives, and convert lawmaking into a part-time role.
Minimum Wage: Establish a minimum wage of at least N250,000 monthly for Nigerian workers.
Educational Investment: Increase investment in education, provide grants instead of loans to students, and implement free, compulsory education for children.
Release Nnamdi Kanu: Unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demilitarize the South East.
Renationalization: Renationalize public enterprises previously sold to government officials and their associates.
Subsidy Regime: Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to address hunger, starvation, and poverty.
Anti-Corruption Measures: Investigate and recover funds looted by past and present leaders, and use the recovered funds for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Restructuring: Restructure Nigeria to reflect its diversity, ensure resource control, decentralization, and regional development.
Security Reforms: Overhaul security agencies to prevent human rights abuses, eliminate redundancy, and enhance public safety.
Energy Fund: Create a Special Energy Fund for substantial, corruption-free development in the power sector.
Electoral Body Reconstitution: Reform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove corrupt and partisan elements.
Public Works and Industrialization: Invest heavily in public works and industrialization to create jobs for Nigeria’s large youth population.
Judicial Reform: Undertake a major overhaul of the judiciary to remove corrupt judges and officers and ensure access to justice for all citizens.
In response to the growing unrest, President Bola Tinubu convened an emergency meeting on Thursday with top traditional rulers, security chiefs, and APC governors at the State House in Abuja. The meeting, led by Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, included high-profile traditional leaders such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III.
Security figures like National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun were present, along with various ministers and cabinet members. Additionally, a delegation of Islamic scholars joined the discussions later in the day.
The planned protests have drawn significant attention and concern, prompting the Federal Government, governors, and security agencies to attempt to dissuade the organizers. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held a meeting on Wednesday night, with NGF Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq indicating that the National Security Adviser briefed on the escalating momentum for the protests and assured support for enhanced state security.
Military authorities have issued warnings about potential attempts to hijack the protests to incite violence, drawing parallels to recent events in Kenya. The police have echoed these concerns, cautioning against possible violence reminiscent of the EndSARS protests of October 2020.
President Tinubu, through Information Minister, has urged for patience and called for a postponement of the protests. The Minister stated, “The government believes in the right to protest within the law but opposes violence and actions that harm Nigerians. We are concerned about the potential for unrest and the possibility that some may seek to exploit the situation.”
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