The 10 demands driving the 10 day End Bad Governance protest in Nigeria

 

Kwekwu Thomas  I Wednesday, July 31, 2024

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The 10-day protest in Nigeria, set to commence tomorrow, is driven by a fervent call to end pervasive bad governance. Nigerians across the country are rallying against a system that has exacerbated the cost of living beyond the means of ordinary citizens, while those in power flaunt extravagant lifestyles and luxuries.

The youth, particularly incensed by these disparities, will march daily from 9 am to 6 pm with a comprehensive list of demands.

Foremost among these demands is hunger relief. Protesters urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle food costs by significantly increasing food imports and offering subsidized credits. They also demand government intervention to reduce logistics expenses exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies, which hampers food storage and distribution.

Addressing the exorbitant cost of living is another crucial demand. Protesters insist on reducing petrol prices to N195 per liter to reflect current economic realities. They also seek cuts in electricity tariffs and import duties. Security concerns rank high as well, with calls for effective measures to counteract rising insecurity, which has driven farmers from their lands or forced them to pay protection fees to access their farms.

Efforts to streamline governance feature prominently in their agenda. They demand the full implementation of the Oronsaye report to reduce government waste, alongside the elimination of extravagant allowances embedded in the 2024 budget by lawmakers. The release of individuals still detained from the #EndSARS protests is also demanded, with adherence to ECOWAS court rulings and compensation for affected families.

Agricultural policies are not overlooked, as protesters advocate for farmer protection, subsidies on agricultural inputs, and a ban on GMO foods. They call for increased budget allocations to education and healthcare, aiming for a 20% allocation, and seek a return to the previous national anthem.

Electoral reform is crucial to them, with calls for the full implementation of the Justice Uwais Report, mandatory electronic voting and transmission, and the enactment of a new electoral act by December 2024. The demand for a living wage encompasses employment for youths and the settlement of salary arrears.

Finally, constitutional and judicial reforms are urged, emphasizing transparency in judicial appointments and a new constitution ratified by Nigerians through a referendum.

The protest reflects a unified outcry against systemic failures and inequalities, echoing across Nigeria’s streets as citizens mobilize for change.