The Take It Back Movement is set to stage its rally and demonstration at the National Assembly, Abuja and 19 other locations across the country during the June 12 celebrations.
Due to planned nationwide protest, the police and other security agencies have beefed up security in the country.
The protest organisers revealed that their intention is to take their campaign against economic hardship to the political leaders.
The group had earlier slated the Eagle Square as venue for the rally, but switched to another venue.
The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the shift in protest location did not alter the objective of the demonstration.
He said the protest would have participants from various civil society groups, adding that it is going to draw attention to the “two years of misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under Tinubu’s government.
“The unprecedented hardship and insecurity we have experienced under his government are alarming. So, Nigerians will be turning out nationwide to protest against this, and the National Assembly is one of those spaces where Nigerians can exercise their constitutional rights. We are encouraging Nigerians to move there in their numbers.”
Sanyaolu said “all Nigerians from different walks of life have been mobilised, Nigerians are coming to the streets tomorrow (today) to demand an end to bad governance.
“Nigerians have nothing to lose. Nigerians have been beaten and battered. We are like people who are on the ground; we should have no fear of falling. It is also their constitutional right to protest.
The Director of Mobilisation for the protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Michael Adenola, revealed that young Nigerians are angered by the worsening economic conditions and government neglect.
“Many Nigerian youths, who have expressed frustration over the spate of killings in the country, mass unemployment, and underfunded education, have shown commitment to participate in the protest.
Adenola warned the security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of protesters and refrain from using force.
“Again and again, men of our security agencies have shown themselves to be uncivilised by attacking protesters unprovoked. Our call to them is to at least pretend they are civilised.
“There is no reason to bring lethal weapons to the protest grounds. Take them to Sambisa or Plateau State to combat the real insecurity, not against protesters who are civilly demanding their rights,” he added.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, assured law-abiding citizens of protection during the protest.
He said, “We are still on engagement and discussion, until then, we won’t know. We want to advise all law-abiding citizens that they should go about their lawful businesses without harassment from anybody. We urge Nigerians to be orderly. Everybody’s right must be respected.”
Sanyaolu said the protesters would take place in at least 20 locations nationwide.
“In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8.00 am. In Lagos, we have four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting by 7am.
“In Akure, Ondo State, we will gather at Cathedral Junction by 8am, and in Benin City, Edo State, at the Museum Ground by 9am. In Niger State, the venue is Gida Matasa at 8am.
“In Yobe, we will meet at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu by 7:30am, while in Oyo State, it is Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan by 8am.
“In Bauchi, the protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta, by 8 am. In Osun State, it will be at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo,” Sanyaolu explained.
Another group, the #EndBadgovernanceMovement, has fixed the Ikeja Underbridge for protest.
In support of the rallies, the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association wrote to the Lagos State Police Command seeking protection for the protesters.
In a letter on Wednesday signed by the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Human Rights Committee, Chinenye Udeh, and vice chairman, Joseph Opute, the association referenced the prior notification given to the police by the organisers, and called for law enforcement agencies to fulfil their statutory duty under the Police Act.
In Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, the State TIB coordinator, Victor Lijofi, asked residents to come out en masse and join the demonstration, which he said would take off from Olaiya Junction, Osogbo.
“The police should therefore deploy officers to protect protesters and desist from any attempt to suppress or arrest peaceful protesters, and in the event of any attacks before, during, or after the protest, we shall hold the Nigeria Police Force accountable.”
The Bauchi State Coordinator, TIB Movement, Nuhu Nazif, said the police asked for a dialogue with him and his team after he notified them of the protest.
“Now is not the right time for dialogue,” Nazif said. “It is not good to be a friend of the police, especially when organising peaceful conduct.”
In readiness for the rallies, the security agencies in Borno, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Ogun, Yobe, Osun, Oyo, Jigawa and other states have beefed up security.
The Borno State PPRO, Nahum Daso, said 1,500 policemen were mobilised ahead of the protest.
“Currently, we don’t have any threats in the state. Nevertheless, the police EOD team is currently on ground to sweep the area and will continue tomorrow (today) after the programme. It is going to be a hitch-free June 12 Democracy Day celebration,” he assured.
In neigbouring Yobe, the command confirmed it had put in place measures to maintain peace and order within and outside Damaturu, the state capital.
The state PPRO, Dungus Abdulkarim, said, “The police command has equally deployed adequate personnel and equipment to protect key infrastructure and ensure public safety, especially in public places such as markets and shopping centres.”
