Protest Rocks Abuja, Lagos as ‘Take It Back Movement’ Slams FG Over Economic Hardship

Members of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement on Wednesday staged coordinated protests in Abuja and Lagos to demand urgent action on Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and security challenges, marking the anniversary of the ‘RevolutionNow’ movement.

The demonstrations, held under the theme “Festival of the Oppressed,” drew scores of protesters who accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to address the rising cost of living, insecurity, and other pressing national concerns.

In Lagos, demonstrators gathered in the Maryland area, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards before security operatives dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

The protesters called for sweeping political and economic reforms, including the implementation of a ₦500,000 national minimum wage, the rescue of Nigerians abducted by bandits and kidnappers, the withdrawal of criminal charges against activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and decisive action against reported xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

In Abuja, Sowore joined demonstrators carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Nigeria is Bleeding,” “Rescue Our People Now,” “Free All Political Prisoners,” and “No to Xenophobia.”

Addressing journalists during the protest, Sowore described the demonstration as a reminder that Nigerians must continue to demand fundamental political change.

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“Today, August 5, we have come to remind the whole country that the revolution is necessary and imminent. Nothing can stop that revolution,” he declared.

He reiterated the movement’s demands, including the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the withdrawal of charges against activists facing prosecution over anti-government protests, and improved welfare for Nigerians.

Sowore said similar demonstrations were simultaneously held in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and other cities, adding that the protests marked the beginning of a broader nationwide campaign.

He further alleged that attempts were made by certain individuals to disrupt the Abuja protest but insisted that participants remained undeterred.

Also speaking, the Head of Legal Aid for the Take It Back Movement, Bolaji Oluwatosin, condemned the disruption of the protests by security personnel, describing the action as a violation of citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“It is disheartening that the Nigeria Police, which is constitutionally mandated to protect citizens, disrupted a peaceful demonstration organised by Nigerians,” Oluwatosin said.

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“We have gathered to express our dissatisfaction with the state of the country. We will continue to demand change until our voices are heard.”

The ‘RevolutionNow’ movement was launched by Omoyele Sowore on August 5, 2019, as a campaign against bad governance. Since then, supporters have commemorated its anniversary annually with protests advocating political reforms, improved governance, and better socio-economic conditions for Nigerians.