On Wednesday morning, a group of protesters assembled at the Ikeja Under bridge in Lagos to voice their grievances on the occasion of the 2024 Democracy Day. The demonstration prompted a substantial security presence, including officers from the Nigeria Police Force and officials from the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The protesters, united in their cause, sang solidarity songs and held placards and banners with messages like “President Tinubu, let the poor breathe,” “For another general strike with mass protest now,” and “Payment of living wage to all Nigerian workers now.”
The protest saw participation from several civil society groups, including the Take It Back Movement, the Education Rights Campaign, the Coalition for Revolution, and the Socialist Workers League. The demonstration occurred shortly after President Bola Tinubu assured Nigerians that the ongoing national reforms are designed to strengthen the economy, not exacerbate hardship.
In his address to the nation on Democracy Day, President Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties but emphasized the necessity of the reforms to establish a more resilient economy. He pledged to always listen to the people’s concerns and not turn his back on them, emphasizing the goal of achieving both political and economic democracy for Nigeria’s future.