Coalition of Civic rights organizations have called on Nigerians to take part in peaceful protests and demonstrations on October 1, 2024 to end what they describe as excruciating economic hardship, poverty, and hunger, which they attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s implementation of IMF/World Bank-inspired capitalist policies.
The organisations stated this in a joint statement signed by Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Yoruba Revolutionary Movement (YOREM), Coalition for Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) among other.
Others are Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), Movement for African Emancipation (MAE), Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria), Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Kaduna branch and Talakawa’s Parliament.
The groups expressed their discontent by saying, there can be no progress when a society is run to enrich a few at the expense of the mass majority, the statement reads. “We need a different way of running our country.”
The groups also plan to use the day to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters currently in police or prison custody.
The civic groups are also demanding freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and all victims of state repression.
The statement reads, “We the undersigned support the declaration of October 1st 2024 as “National Day of Survival”. On this day, we call on the Nigerian people, workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders and the poor to come out in peaceful protest and demonstrations against the excruciating condition of hardship, poverty and hunger imposed on us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to implement IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies of fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, school fees hike, and naira devaluation.
“We also call on the Nigerian people to utilize this day to demand with one voice the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and prison custodies as well as freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists and all victims of state repression.
“Whereas every October 1st is a day to celebrate national independence, we do not think our country has anything to celebrate this year. Nigerians are neither happy nor free after 64 years of political independence from Colonial Britain. The Nigerian masses are poor and hungry.”
“Despite this, President Tinubu continues to drive forward these criminal anti-human policies. Petrol price is now four times higher than it was in May 29, last year. Also, while asking us to tighten our belt, President Tinubu continues to use Nigeria’s wealth to buy luxurious vehicles, yachts and jets for himself and his family.”
“Basic civil liberties, like freedom of expression, association and lawful assembly, that usually distinguishes free citizens from slaves, are now largely absent in our country. For instance, several young people have been charged with treason and may face the death penalty if found guilty just because they displayed placards saying “End Bad Government” during the #EndBadGovernance protest in August. So, Nigerian are not much better off today than the darks days of military dictatorship.
“These, and many more, are the reasons we have named October 1st a “National Day of Survival”. It is a day for the Nigerian people to come together at barricades across the country to reflect on the journey of nationhood so far and take a decision on how to rescue our country from the condition of mass poverty in the midst of abundance.
“We hereby call on the Nigerian people, progressive organisations, trade unions, students unions, youth groups to begin to organize towards ensuring a massive but peaceful nationwide demonstration on this “National Day of Survival”. The October 1st action is an urgent cry to the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately.”
However, the groups make 10 demands which include: “Say no to IMF neo-liberal policies. Reverse hike in fuel price and electricity tariff back to pre-May 29, 2023 level. Make government-owned refineries work to guarantee affordable fuel products.
“Reduce food prices and end hunger. Support farmers to ensure sustainable food production.
“End insecurity, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Prosecute culprits and their sponsors. For a robust security architecture and adequate support for soldiers at the front and their families.
“Release all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters, journalists, whistleblowers and other victims of state repression unconditionally.”
Among the demands are, “Implement N70, 000 new National Minimum wage at all levels. For automatic real living minimum wage that is supported by law.
“Reduce the cost of governance. Place all political office holders on the minimum wage. Scrap security vote and constituency allowances.”
The groups urged the government should provide free and compulsory primary and secondary education for all Nigerian children, reduce tertiary education school fees, and give Nigerian students grant and not loans.
They also called for the “immediate prosecution and jailing of all corrupt politicians, judges, police, public servants and state officials.
“Massive investment in public works, social infrastructure and industrialization to create decent jobs for all.
“Genuine electoral reform. For independent candidature, diaspora voting and a truly independent electoral body.”
They explained that there can be no progress when a society is run to enrich a few at the expense of the mass majority.
We need a different way of running our country – one that ensures that the country’s wealth goes to meeting the needs of all and not the greed of a few. This is our own definition of good governance. This how we end poverty and hunger. Unless our demands are met, more protests will follow the “National Day of Survival,” they concluded.
Meanwhile, the government is putting in place security measures to make sure protests do not degenerate into chaos and anarchy. Security has been beefed up in States that are prone to violence resulting from protests.
Police has warned against all protests because of the current situation in the country warning that the protest may turn violent if not well managed.
Last week, the federal government promised to implement N70,000 minimum wage immediately and settle arrears from July based on the agreement with labour unions after the President signed the Minimum wage Act some few months ago.
The N33,000 NYSC monthly allowance was also increased to N77,000 all in a bid to meet up with some of the demands of the Nigeria public to alleviate the general suffering and prevalent poverty that is widespread.
As much as the demands are endless, the government is doing what it can with the hope that every common man will feel the impact and appreciate the little relief.