Nigerians preparing for the upcoming nationwide #EndBadGovt hunger protest have issued a stern warning to security agencies, stating there will be severe consequences if any protesters are harmed.
They have vowed to demand the immediate resignation of President Bola Tinubu and his entire cabinet if any protesters are attacked during the demonstration.
The protest organizers, who are leading the charge against hunger and economic hardship, have responded to threats from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, State Security Service, and other security agencies. These agencies have cautioned against proceeding with the protest, citing concerns over potential violence similar to the October 2020 #EndSARS protests and the Kenyan uprising, which resulted in deaths and destruction.
Despite these warnings, a flier circulating on social media outlines a 10-point agenda for the protest and includes a direct warning to security forces: “During this protest, if one protester is killed, maimed, or arrested, we will not back down until Tinubu and his entire cabinet step down.”
Government officials have alleged that the protest is being sponsored by foreign mercenaries, but the organizers remain undeterred and have confirmed that the protest will take place on August 1, 2024. The main grievances driving the protest are the widespread hunger and economic hardship that have plagued the country since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, attributed to his administration’s harsh economic policies.