Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, has confirmed that the planned #FearlessInOctober protest will go ahead on October 1, regardless of whether or not he is personally involved.
Speaking during an appearance on News Central TV on Monday, Sowore emphasized that the protest will proceed until the government meet the demand of the protesters
Protest Will Not Be Stopped, Says Sowore
Sowore drew parallels to previous protests, stating that his physical presence was not necessary for the movement to proceed.
“And I want to make it clear here, whether I participate or not—and I am addressing our security people—it is going to happen. Just like the one in August, I was not here, and it happened,” he said.
He also referred to the 2019 #RevolutionNow protest, for which he was arrested two days prior. Despite his arrest, the protest took place as planned.
A Call for Prolonged Protests
Sowore hinted that the upcoming protest could last indefinitely, echoing the sustained protests seen in other parts of the world.
“I only know that it will start on October 1; I don’t know when it will end. Nigerians are tired of suffering,” he said. “In 2023, French workers protested for six months non-stop. So why the complaint about the two months between the #EndBadGovernance and #FearlessInOctober protests when there is still hunger, starvation, and corruption?”
He also acknowledged that some people believe the protest date should be kept unannounced, to make the demonstration more spontaneous.
Encouraging Citizens to Begin Protests Early
Sowore encouraged any Nigerian feeling the strain of bad governance to begin protests even before October 1, should they feel compelled to do so.
“And we said to anybody who feels cheated or feels the burden of bad governance, they can’t buy gasoline, they can’t pay for electricity, they can’t pay school fees, and they feel strangled by the government—you are at liberty to start whenever you want,” he said.
However, he clarified that as part of the organization, their strategy has always been to announce protests in advance, and these protests have always been peaceful.
Concerns About Government Response
Sowore expressed concerns about whether the government would allow citizens to peacefully express their grievances during the protests.
“You should ask the government; it is the police that kill people. The protesters did not kill themselves. It is the police,” Sowore concluded.
Bottom Line
Sowore’s #FearlessInOctober protest is set to be a bold continuation of his long-standing advocacy against bad governance in Nigeria. Sowore statement of the protest will continue whether or not he is physically present reflect his position to the recent government threat of arrest. His opinion is that the protest will continue not because of him but because of mounting frustration of Nigerians facing economic hardship and political discontent. Concerns about the government’s response to the protest raises important questions about the space for civil activism and the freedom to dissent in Nigeria.
