The Nigerian Government has been presented with 17 non-negotiable demands ahead of the upcoming FearlessInOctober nationwide protest. The protest, set to commence on October 1, is the second phase of the 10-day EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest against the rising hunger and hardship in the country.
Omoyele Sowore, a key organizer of the EndBadGovernance protest, unveiled the list of demands, which include a call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained EndBadGovernance protesters, the unfreezing of their assets and bank accounts, and compensation for the distress caused.
The organizers are also demanding the removal and prosecution of key government figures, including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Bernard Igwe; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Among the demands, Sowore emphasized the need to scrap the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a new, people-driven constitution through a Sovereign National Conference, followed by a National Referendum. He also called for the abolition of the Senate while retaining the House of Representatives, converting lawmaking into a part-time endeavor, and establishing a minimum wage of at least N250,000 per month for Nigerian workers.
The demands also cover significant reforms in education and governance. Sowore called for substantial investments in education, the provision of grants instead of loans to Nigerian students, and the implementation of free and compulsory education for all children. Additionally, he demanded the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the demilitarization of the South East region, as well as the release and compensation of all #ENDSARS and political detainees.
Further demands include the renationalization of publicly owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies, the reinstatement of a corruption-free subsidy regime to combat hunger and poverty, and a comprehensive probe into past and present leaders for corruption, with recovered funds allocated to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Sowore called for restructuring Nigeria to reflect its diversity, promote resource control, decentralize power, and foster regional development. He also demanded an end to banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes, as well as reforms in security agencies to end human rights violations and enhance the safety of Nigerian citizens.
The list also includes the establishment of a Special Energy Fund to drive a corruption-free power sector development, an overhaul of the Nigerian Electoral Body to remove corrupt and partisan officials, and substantial investments in public works and industrialization to create employment opportunities for the country's youth.
Sowore also pushed for a major reform in the Nigerian judiciary to eliminate corruption and ensure access to justice for all citizens, as well as the introduction of diaspora voting to enable Nigerians abroad to participate in elections.
The FearlessInOctober protest represents a renewed call for action against what organizers describe as systemic failures in governance and economic management in Nigeria. With the presentation of these demands, the organizers have set the stage for a potentially significant nationwide movement.
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