Former presidential candidate and journalist Omoyele Sowore has reiterated his commitment to the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for October 1, 2024, despite opposition from the Federal Government and warnings from the Nigerian Police Force. Sowore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, September 30, 2024, declared that there would be “No Going Back” on the protest aimed at addressing the worsening hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship in the country.
The protest, which Sowore says will be held across the nation, including at the Eagles Square in Abuja, is expected to draw thousands of participants. “The scale of the devastation, hunger, insecurity, and hardship that this government has unleashed on Nigerians is national,” Sowore said in a video shared on his social media platform. He emphasized that the protest would remain peaceful, despite past confrontations with security forces. “Our only weapon is truth, and no amount of force or violence will prevent us from speaking truth to power,” he said.
Sowore highlighted several pressing issues affecting Nigerians, including a recent N300 per litre increase in petrol prices, the continued devaluation of the naira, skyrocketing market prices, and the increasing threat of banditry and floods. “Under these circumstances, can anyone be surprised that the Nigerian people want to voice their displeasure with this government’s failure?” he asked.
The protest organizers in Lagos have announced that their march will begin at 7:30 am from the Ikeja Under Bridge, as citizens across different parts of the country prepare to raise their voices against the hardships they are facing. Sowore insists that the protests will be peaceful, despite fears of government crackdown, and that the people’s demand for change cannot be ignored.
“We are determined to come out peacefully. The pangs of hunger and groans of pain of the Nigerian people will not be drowned out by the government,” Sowore said.
