The Take It Back movement, a civil society organization, has formally requested the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to grant them access to Eagle Square in Abuja for an upcoming nationwide protest.
In a letter addressed to Wike, the group’s Director of Mobilization, Damilare Adenola, outlined the details of the proposed #EndBadGovernance protest, scheduled to take place from August 1st to August 10th, 2024. The group has requested the use of the iconic public space as the convergence point for “patriotic Nigerians” to voice their demands for better governance
Notably, the group has requested that the FCT administration ensure the provision of essential amenities, such as 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security, to cater to the needs of the protesters who plan to camp out at the location. Additionally, they have appealed for the removal of the outer wire mesh barrier facing the Aso Rock Villa to facilitate easy access to the Presidential Villa during the demonstration.
The request comes as the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has announced the deployment of 4,200 police officers across Abuja in anticipation of the protest. The command has also stated that it will collaborate with other security agencies to conduct raids on identified “black spots,” unfinished buildings, and shanties, as well as implement stop-and-search operations to ensure the safety and security of the protesters and the general public.
As the organizers await the FCT Minister’s response to their request, the upcoming protest is poised to be a significant event, drawing attention to the public’s concerns over the state of governance in the country.