Nigerian police are currently getting the feel of sporadic but well-orchestrated protests driven by the country’s youth who started their 10-day anti-government demonstrations on Thursday.
Footage shared online shows the protesters engaging security personnel in running battles in a fashion replete with teargas and traffic disruptions similar to what Kenya’s Gen Z served this past month.
In a poster that started circulating on social media on July 6, the Nigerian youth vowed to fill the streets from August 1 to 10, 2024 to demand better governance from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
They said they would be exercising their right to hold the government accountable through mass actions as provided for by Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.
They marshalled support and awareness online through the hashtag #ENDBGIN and listed 12 issues they want Tinubu’s government to address.
Their demands include a call to an end to alleged anti-people policies, over taxation and electoral reforms.
They also want import duty returned to the previous rates, a reduction of salaries and allowances of all house representatives including senators and the speaker and the establishment of an emergency fund to support SMEs.
The youths are also demanding 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 transmit live electoral results,” the poster reads.
The protests borrow largely from the recent anti-Finance Bill protests that rocked Kenya from June 18 when the Bill was first tabled in Parliament.
The Kenyan Gen Z held steady even in the face of brute suppression from anti-riot police and on June 25, overran barricades and stormed Parliament where they torched a section of it and vandalised furniture.
The following day, President William Ruto withdrew the unpopular Bill, fired his cabinet on July 11, introduced austerity measures and is currently reconstituting his cabinet afresh.
Nigerian Gen Zs appear to be on a similar mission to force their government to institute reforms and better governance.
“Carry a placard, handkerchief, a bottle of water, a white cloth or ribbon and the Nigerian flag. Dress code white and black,” the poster announcing the protests reads.
According to the poster, protesters in the capital Abuja were to assemble at all local government assemblies, House representative residences, governors’ offices and at the National Assembly.
“For those around Enugu, Lagos, Kano, PH, Abuja, Kaduna block all roads leading to the city and airport on Day 1,” the poster added.