Omoyele Sowore, the leader of the #RevolutionNow Movement, has outlined 17 critical demands from Nigerians ahead of the upcoming “October Revolt” protests. These demonstrations, set to begin on October 1, are part of the continued #EndBadGovernance movement, which seeks to address persistent issues in Nigeria’s governance.
Sowore, who previously ran as a presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC), stated that the demands were compiled from the voices of Nigerians actively participating in the #EndBadGovernance campaign.
The first demand issued to President Bola Tinubu’s administration is the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals arrested during the initial #EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1-10. This includes a call to unfreeze the bank accounts and assets of the protesters and to provide fair compensation for the suffering and hardships they faced during the peaceful demonstrations.
Additional demands include: the removal and prosecution of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bernard Igwe; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for their roles in suppressing legitimate protests, the killing of peaceful demonstrators, and the unlawful detention of protesters, including minors.
Further demands call for scrapping the 1999 Constitution and replacing it with a new Constitution created by the people through a Sovereign National Conference followed by a National Referendum. The protesters also demand the elimination of the Senate, retaining only the House of Representatives, and turning lawmaking into a part-time role.
Other key demands include:
- A minimum monthly wage of at least N250,000 for Nigerian workers.
- Significant investment in education, including grants for students instead of loans, and a push for free and compulsory education for all children in Nigeria.
- The unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the demilitarization of the South-East, as well as the release and compensation of all #ENDSARS and political detainees.
- The renationalization of public enterprises previously sold to government officials and their associates.
- Reinstatement of a corruption-free subsidy regime to alleviate hunger, starvation, and multidimensional poverty.
- An investigation into past and present Nigerian leaders involved in looting public funds, with recovered funds to be used for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
- Restructuring Nigeria to reflect its diversity, including resource control, decentralization, and regional development.
- Ending banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes, along with reforming security agencies to prevent human rights violations and improving citizens’ physical security.
- The establishment of a Special Energy Fund to drive corruption-free development in the power sector.
- Immediate reconstitution of Nigeria’s Electoral Body, INEC, to remove corrupt officials and partisan individuals who manipulate elections.
- Massive public works and industrialization projects to create jobs for Nigeria’s large youth population.
- A major overhaul of the judiciary to eliminate corruption among judges and judicial officers who deny citizens access to justice.
- The introduction of diaspora voting.
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