Less than 24 hours before the planned nationwide protest on October 1, the coordinators of the #EndBadGovernance protest across Nigeria's 19 northern states have decided to withdraw their participation. This decision stems from the national organizers' failure to address critical security concerns.
The northern coordinators had repeatedly requested security cover at convergence points to safeguard protesters and prevent hoodlums from hijacking the process, but they received no clear answers or measures.
In a joint statement signed by Abdullahi Daura and Mohammed Musa Biu, the chairman and secretary of the Northern Coordinators, respectively, they expressed apprehension about a repeat of the violence that marred previous protests in Kano, Kaduna, and other parts of the north.
They emphasized, "We have asked questions and wrote several requests for security cover at the convergence points in the north where people will join the protest action. But we are yet to get a clear answer and measures taken to avoid violence and looting of property."
The coordinators urged all members in the nineteen states to obey directives and pull out until they receive clearance from security agencies. They reassured Nigerians of their commitment to pressuring the federal government to reverse harmful policies but stressed that the safety of innocent citizens is paramount. The statement concluded with a call for calm and peaceful conduct during the October 1 Independence Day celebrations across the North.
This development follows the initial #EndBadGovernance protests that began on August 1, 2024, in response to Nigeria's economic hardship and hunger crisis. Despite the withdrawal, the organizers continue to advocate for reversing policies that have led to widespread poverty and hardship under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
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