Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights activist, has reaffirmed the second phase of nationwide protests against poverty, hunger, and bad governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Tagged #FearlessInOctober, Sowore emphasizes that the demonstrations are not limited to Generation Z but invite citizens of all ages to unite in the fight for change and confront the pressing issues facing Nigeria today.
Sowore made it known that he believes that a unified Africa is key to achieving global prosperity and urges Nigerians to stand together on Independence Day, October 1st, against corruption and inequality.
He said, “But don’t call it a Generation Z protest, rather from A to Z. The movement is animated by Nigerians of all ages, who are fed up with bad governance.
“Only if Africans unite will they be able to earn a place in global prosperity.”
He said the protests will be in October because “it’s a significant month for a number of reasons”.
He said, “There’s the anniversary of “their” independence, which Nigerians have not yet truly won, and also that of #EndSARS, the movement that denounces the abuses and blackmail against defenseless citizens committed by the police of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at dawn on October 20, 2020.
“After days of marches, soldiers shot at participants in a sit-in in Lagos to enforce a curfew order. According to a local commission of inquiry, there were at least 48 victims: young people who denounced bad governance.”
During the initial phase of the #FearlessInOctober protests which took place from August 1-10, Nigerian authorities detained several protesters, with some remanded in prison illegally.
However, lawyers have successfully secured the release of many demonstrators across the country, and more are expected to regain their freedom in the coming week as bail conditions are met.
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