Tension is rising nationwide as the Take It Back Movement and several civil society groups prepare to stage mass protests today, June 12, Democracy Day, in Abuja and at least 19 other locations across Nigeria. The demonstrations are expected to coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s address to a joint session of the National Assembly, following the cancellation of his earlier scheduled national broadcast.
The protesters aim to spotlight the worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and what they describe as two years of “misrule” under the Tinubu administration. The Take It Back Movement had initially planned to protest at Eagle Square, but shifted the Abuja venue to the National Assembly complex to amplify their demands.
Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the group, confirmed the protests would proceed despite intimidation and attacks on organisers in states like Lagos, Bauchi, Edo, and Gombe. He insisted the protests are a constitutional right and urged Nigerians to defy fear and participate peacefully.
Security agencies across the country have responded with heightened deployments. In Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, assured citizens of their safety while urging peaceful conduct. In Lagos, the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, formally requested police protection for protesters and reminded law enforcement of their legal obligation under the Police Act to safeguard peaceful rallies.
The Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, confirmed the cancellation of the presidential broadcast due to Tinubu’s attendance at the National Assembly’s special session.
The Take It Back Movement has released its protest schedule, listing multiple convergence points including Badagry, Agbara, Maryland, and Toll Gate in Lagos; Cathedral Junction in Akure; Museum Ground in Benin City; Gida Matasa in Niger State; Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan; and others in Yobe, Bauchi, and Osun States.
Meanwhile, security agencies in states such as Borno, Ogun, Jigawa, Ondo, Oyo, and Sokoto have deployed personnel and resources to prevent violence or disruption. Borno State Police mobilised 1,500 officers, while Yobe, Delta, Edo, and Gombe police confirmed they were fully prepared.
In some states, protests have been replaced with alternative civic engagements. In Kano, civil society groups will hold a public lecture in collaboration with Bayero University at the Aminu Kano Centre, citing security concerns. In Kwara, pro-democracy groups like the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights plan to organise training workshops rather than street protests.
In Rivers State, former Ijaw Youth Council Chairman, Tamuno Kpokpo, warned youths against participating in any protest allegedly sponsored to discredit suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging them not to be used by political actors.
Despite the tension, the protest organisers maintain that the rally is a peaceful demonstration aimed at expressing public dissatisfaction with governance and calling for urgent reforms. The group insists it is the duty of the police and civil authorities to protect, not suppress, the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly.
ADEOLA KUNLE
