Ahead of this year’s Democracy Day celebration, the #TakeItBack Movement has confirmed that a nationwide protest will go ahead on June 12.
The group said the demonstration will hold in at least 20 states across Nigeria, with participants set to rally against worsening economic conditions, rising insecurity, and what they describe as a shrinking space for civil rights under the current administration.
June 12 is officially observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in remembrance of the 1993 election, which many believe was won by Moshood Abiola but later annulled by the military government. The date was adopted as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The protest is coming as the country marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. According to the organisers, the demonstration is aimed at holding the government of President Bola Tinubu accountable for what they call “failures in governance.”
Juwon Sanyaolu, the national coordinator of the movement, provided details of the protest locations. In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, protesters are expected to converge at Eagle Square by 8:00 a.m. Lagos State will have four gathering points—Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate—starting at 7:00 a.m.
Other locations include Akure in Ondo State (Cathedral Junction, 8:00 a.m.), Benin City in Edo State (Museum Ground, 9:00 a.m.), and Niger State (Gida Matasa, 8:00 a.m.). In Yobe State, the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout will serve as the rally point at 7:30 a.m., while in Ibadan, Oyo State, the protest will be held at Mokola Roundabout from 8:00 a.m.
Additional protest points include Yelewam Makaranta in Bauchi (opposite Bauchi School of ACR), and Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, Osun State. In Delta State, multiple locations will be involved, including Sapele, Asaba, Ughelli, Warri, and Abraka.
Participants in Yola, Adamawa State will meet at Juppu Jam Road by 8:00 a.m., while in Borno State, the gathering will take place at the Kasuwan Gamboru Flyover.
Sanyaolu noted that the protest is scheduled for Democracy Day to serve as a symbolic reminder of the people’s right to demand better governance.
“Our demands remain consistent. June 12 represents an opportunity for Nigerians to peacefully demand good governance and accountability. The constitution clearly states that the welfare and security of the people are the primary duties of government—duties which this administration has failed to fulfill,” he said.
He also referred to a report by Amnesty International which claims that over 10,000 Nigerians have lost their lives due to security issues since President Tinubu took office.
He added, “Over 133 million citizens are living in multidimensional poverty. Many have been forced out of their homes due to insecurity and forced evictions. In Benue alone, more than 40,000 people are displaced. Plateau State has over 68,000 displaced residents. This reflects the state of national welfare and security.”
In preparation for the protests and celebrations, police in Lagos, Ogun, and Niger states have increased security presence. Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, said law enforcement agencies have been instructed to safeguard lives and property before, during, and after the events.
He noted that officers will be stationed at key areas, especially the Kara bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and in parts of Lagos and Ogun such as Ojota, Surulere, Alausa, Ikeja, Kuto, and Sango.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned against police violence. In a statement, its national coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure protesters are not harmed.
“Nigerians are preparing to participate in a nationwide peaceful protest on June 12 to demand good governance, accountability, an end to insecurity, police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the worsening economic crisis,” the statement read.
