Protesters will take to the streets on Thursday in 20 states across Nigeria to mark the 2025 democracy day, amid rising hardship and insecurity in the country.
The protests, mobilised by the #TakeItBackMovement, are expected to draw large crowds in major urban centres including Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Bauchi, Maiduguri, and Ibadan. Organisers say the rallies will begin as early as 7:00 a.m. at designated locations.
In a statement issued to journalists, the national coordinator of the #TakeItBackMovement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protests were informed by worsening living conditions and insecurity under the current administration.
The organisers said in Lagos, demonstrations will be held in areas such as Maryland, Badagry, Agbara, and at the Lagos Toll Gate. In Abuja, protesters are expected to converge at Eagle Square by 8:00 a.m.
Other confirmed venues include Museum Ground in Benin City of Edo State, Cathedral Junction in Akure, the Ondo state capital, Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damatur of Yobe State, kasuwan Gamboru Flyover in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Warri, Ughelli, Sapele and Asaba all in Delta State
While Nigeria formally marks 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, the protesters are demanding urgent action on widespread poverty, insecurity, and shrinking civic space.
Underlying Grievances
June 12 is observed in honour of the annulled 1993 presidential election, which many Nigerians regard as the fairest in the country’s history. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari adopted the date a democracy day in place of the earlier 29th May, which was the Day the Military handed over power to civilians. Recently, Democracy Day has become a symbolic date for citizens to demand democratic accountability.
“Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution obligates the government to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens. This administration has failed to fulfill that responsibility,” Sanyaolu said.
According to the orgnisers, soaring inflation, hunger, and the impact of subsidy removal have pushed over 133 million Nigerians into multidimensional poverty. It added that rising violence and insecurity, with over 10,000 lives reportedly lost since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, according to Amnesty International, while communities are displaced, including 40,000 people in Benue and 68,000 in Plateau State.
Security Measures and Concerns
Police authorities in Lagos, Ogun, and Niger States have reportedly deployed anti-riot squads, armoured vehicles, and surveillance personnel to strategic locations. AIG Adegoke Fayoade, in charge of Zone 2 (Lagos and Ogun), told Daily Trust that the force would adopt a “proactive approach” to prevent disruptions at key sites such as Freedom Park and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The organisers, however, expressed concerns about police hostility, noting that a scheduled meeting between the movement and Lagos police officers was cancelled without explanation. In response, the group issued an open letter citing Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Police in some states, including Ogun and Adamawa, claim they have not received official notification of any planned protest, although organisers maintain that venues in those states have been secured.
Recent Protest
The demonstrations are taking place in the shadow of the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, which were met with heavy-handed security crackdowns. At least 13 people were killed during those protests, with reported cases of arbitrary arrests in several states, including Borno, Niger, and Jigawa.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned the authorities against a repeat of such incidents and urged President Tinubu to ensure that the rights of protesters are respected.
