June 12: CSOs, Other Socialist Groups Plan National Protests Against Hardship, Hunger

Say ‘Lives Have Been Changed For Worse’

As Nigerians groan due to hardship and hunger, a collective of Civil Society Organisations, Socialist Groups, Radical Political Organisations and Parties has revealed plan to launch nationwide peaceful protests come Wednesday, June 12.

This was made known on Thursday at a press conference at the International Press Centre (IPC) Ogba, Lagos.

The groups including Take it Back Movement, Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), African Action Congress (AAC), Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), Socialist Workers League (SWL) and PRP Vanguard, said that “lives have been changed for worse” under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on behalf of the different groups, National Coordinator, Take it Back Movement, Sanyaolu Juwon, said Nigerians cannot afford to feed even once a day with staple foods like garri, rice, beans and bread; hence, hungry Nigerians cannot take the situation anymore.

To this end they made 11-count demands stating that the present Tinubu-led administration brings an “end to hardship”, “end to fee hike, “study grants not loans”, “end insecurity, police brutality and kidnapping”, “no to illegal demolition/forced eviction, “reverse fuel price and electricity tariff hikes now”, an increase in the minimum wage to reflect rate of inflation.”

Also, “50 per cent slash in the salaries and allowances of political office holders to free resources for development.”

They demanded for a “comprehensive social programme for informal workers, free healthcare for vulnerable groups, the elderly over 65 years, children under seven years and pregnant women as well as contributory pensions for Informal workers.”

In addition they called for “an end to attacks on press freedom. Release all detained journalists and bloggers. Release all political detainees and recall all victimised activists. Free all #EndSARS detainees.”