Activist, Sowore Denies Postponing The Protest

Human rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore has denied the postponement of the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

Sowore made this known on Wednesday via his social media account, describing the report purporting the postponement as fake news.

He wrote: “PLEASE IGNORE THE DESPERATE FAKE ANNOUNCEMENT IN CIRCULATION THAT #EndBadGovernance REVOLT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. IT IS FALSE! #nogoingback #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow.”

Nigerians are set to take to the streets in large numbers for a ten-day protest starting August 1 to voice their dissatisfaction with the hardship caused by the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s government and poor governance generally in the country.

However, a recent circular on Wednesday announced a change in plans, shifting the protest to October 1, 2024, to align with the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

But the #RevolutionNow convener, who is one of those at the forefront of the campaign for the protest, dismissed the news as fake.

There have been moves by government authorities and people loyal to the government to persuade and on other occasions threaten people not to join the protests.

For instance, a group of thugs loyal to President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday stormed a popular market in Lagos Island, Lagos State to warn traders and residents against joining the nationwide protests.

SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday how the group of thugs captured in a viral video used a loudspeaker to intimidate traders at the market, threatening them with harsh repercussions if they fail to meet their demands.

The video, which has been circulating on social media, captures the thugs moving through the market, issuing their threats to the traders.

“Things should not get destroyed in Lagos. If they close your shops, what will you do?” one of them said.

“We dare anyone to come out on Thursday to join the protest. This is just a warning.”