A poster doing rounds on social media indicates that Nigerians are planning to hold anti-government protests in August to demand better governance from the ruling administration.
The poster indicates that the nationwide protests will go down from August 1 to 10, 2024.
It has listed 12 demands they want addressed including alleged anti-people policies, over taxation and electoral reforms.
Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution grants citizens the right to protest and assemble.
Under the hash tag #ENDBGIN, organisers have rallied people to support the course regardless of their tribe, region or religion
“Carry placard, handkerchief, a bottle of water, a white cloth or ribbon and the Nigerian flag. Dress code white and black,” the poster says.
It adds that protesters will meet at all local government assemblies, House representative residences, governors’ offices and at the National Assembly in the capital Abuja.
“For those around Enugu, Lagos, Kano, PH, Abuja, Kaduna block all roads leading to the city and airport on Day 1.”
The planned demos borrow largely from the recent anti-Finance Bill protests that rocked Kenya this past two weeks.
The civil disobedience that was largely driven by youthful Kenyans dubbed Gen Z was called to pile pressure on the government to withdraw proposed new taxes in the Bill which many deemed as ‘punitive’.
The government said 25 people died when the protests turned violent.
Property worth millions of shillings was also destroyed after goons reportedly infiltrated the peaceful processions.
President William Ruto eventually declined to sign the Bill into law and on June 26 sent it back to Parliament asking MPs to delete all clauses.
On Friday, the President held an engagement with the Gen Z on social media platform X where the youth outlined to him firsthand their main issues of concern.
Whilst admitting that the Finance Bill, 2024 was rejected largely due to "falsehood and propaganda", the President said he had heard what the young people want changed and would work on the suggestions.
"My administration has always believed in listening and engaging and that is why I go around the country to engage people. I rarely sit in the office. I go to different places to engage with Kenyans," he said.
"I have gone home with 'I need to listen more, I need more empathy'. My administration needs more empathy and I have heard you say more action," he said.
In Nigeria, organizers of the protests want to pile pressure on the government to end subsidy which they have termed as “scam”.
They also want fuel prices to go below 300 Naira per litre, reintroduction of subsidies on education to bring down tertiary education fees and restoration of electricity tariffs to affordable rates.
According to the poster, Nigerians also want import duty return to the previous rates, reduction of the salaries and allowances of all house representatives including senators and the speaker and establishment of an emergency fund to support SMEs.
They also want reforms in the Judiciary, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and electoral agency INEC.
“Make INEC independent and the executive branch with transparent processes for appointing its chairman. Enact a law mandating INEC to electronically to transmit live electoral results,” the poster reads.
President Tinubu was declared winner of Nigeria's February 25 presidential elections after beating out two other prominent candidates.
He took office against the backdrop of a fractured nation, an ailing economy and spiraling insecurity.
Planners of the protests want him to bring the country’s inflation down.