As Nigeria celebrates its 26th year of uninterrupted democracy, which has seen the emergence of five presidents and six presidential elections, some Nigerians have taken to the streets to protest the governance and policies of President Bola Tinubu.

The protesters, who identified themselves as the Take It Back Movement, the End Bad Governance Movement, and Coalitions of Socialists, Labour Activists, and Students Against Hardship and Hunger, trooped from the streets of Abuja and Lagos to Oyo and some other states of the federation under the watch of heavy security operatives. 

In the usual manner, the protesters in Lagos who began their processions at Ikeja underbridge and Maryland in Lagos simultaneously were seen with different placards and banners bearing calls for the government’s reversal of the policies that have created a high cost of living, economic hardship, inflation, and a high cost of governance.

They claim that because President Bola Tinubu announced the elimination of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration in 2023, Nigerians have been deprived of the benefits of democracy that the government is supposed to offer the populace. They also blamed the government for the currency’s floating and the failure to provide basic amenities to the citizens.

Bearing different placards with inscriptions like “June 12 Day of Rage Against Inflicted Hunger on Nigerians by the Tinubu Regime,” “While Nigerians are Crying, the Government is Laughing,” “End Hunger, Hardship, and Insecurity,” and “End Attacks on Democratic Rights”, to further drive their messages home, some of the protesters also chanted solidarity songs, while some were seen with empty pots and plates as signs of hunger in their agitations.

Speaking with us, one of the protesters, who identified himself as Olawale Toheeb, a trader member, insisted that the situation of the country has become unbearable for an average Nigerian who is seeking to feed themselves due to the high cost of living. He expressed his frustration at the challenges he encounters in sustaining his business, despite his utmost efforts.

“I believe everyone in the country can see the hardship and high cost of living that has increased since President Tinubu took office. As a businessperson, I am unable to operate my business as effectively as I did in the past. We can no longer afford food at previous prices, and hunger is rampant in the country. How has the cost of transportation in the country changed? We are not enjoying this government, and that is why we are calling on the president to change some of his policies, which do not favour the average Nigerian.”

Another protester, Linus Nice, also expressed her dissatisfaction with the current economic reality, pointing out that economic hardship has prevented parents from sending their children to school, which has resulted in a high number of out-of-school children. She further explains the lack of basic dividends of democracy to the Nigerians. “We want the government to be aware that our children are out of school because of the lack of funds and economic viability, which has caused the country to have crime and insecurity. The government must listen to our plight and make this country habitable for us.”

Folayemi Akinfolarin, one of the protesters, also called for a change in Nigeria’s governing system and democracy, claiming that citizens are being repressed by the government through the use of the Cybercrime Act to suppress free speech. She insisted that the development is contrary to the principles of democracy.

Speaking at the protest, Hassan Soweto, one of the organisers of the protests, said despite the threat from the authority to prevent the agitation from holding, the plight of the people could not be suppressed due to their daily experiences, which are overwhelmed with hunger and hardship and a lack of democratic governance.

 He explained that as a result of the deficiency in the government, the majority of Nigerians have been subjected to hardship and an inability to afford a decent living, as the poverty index in the country continues to skyrocket. Mr Soweto cited the economic policies of President Tinubu as the reason for the suffering of average Nigerians, urging the president to disregard the misleading notions propagated by political elite

“Today’s protest demonstrates unequivocally that the people are unstoppable, and propaganda cannot supplant reality.” The people have come out to protest the visible hunger and poverty that poor Nigerians are encountering while the politicians are plundering our national wealth. The Tinubu regime has ignored the plight of the people by demanding the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and the provision of beneficial economic policies that are not influenced by the IMF and World Bank directives. The President must listen to the people; that is true democracy. What we are celebrating today is not a true democracy.”

In Ibadan, the chairman of the Oyo State Coalition of Socialists, Labour Activists, and Students Against Hardship and Hunger, Professor Abiodun Aremu, while addressing the journalists at the protest which was held at Mokola roundabout of the city, said the demands of the protesters were clear, maintaining that Nigerians want the government to “reverse the anti-poor policies, specifically the pump price of petrol to N197, immediately reposition all of the public refineries and end the importation of petroleum products, and right away reverse the decision to hike the electricity tariff.

We demand free education at all levels, as guaranteed by the constitution, a reversal of the current fee hikes in Nigerian public tertiary institutions, and an immediate end to hunger, insecurity, police brutality, and starvation in our country.

Juwon Sanyoolu, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, decried the insecurity, poverty, and hardships in the country. He stated, “A government that cannot provide security, good education, and effective economic policies should not be considered a government.” Therefore, we believe that if President Tinubu is unable to improve the situation in this country, he should resign. All the money they are spending on frivolities should be spent on our education and infrastructure. This is why we are advocating for an end to bad governance.

Aduwo Ayodele, a student of the University of Ibadan, also stated the need to agitate and demand governance was premised on the call for good governance by funding education appropriately. We are taking today’s action to voice our genuine concerns as Nigerians. President Tinubu’s policies have negatively impacted Nigerians. Exorbitant, duplicated, and unjustifiable fees have become the norm for students, including myself. These policies have not resulted in high-quality education. “It is high time the government financed education, health, and other basic welfare appropriately.”