Take It Back Movement To Stage June 12 Protest in Osun Over Insecurity, Economic Hardship
The Take It Back Movement has mobilised residents of Osun State for a Democracy Day protest on June 12 to demand an end to worsening insecurity and economic hardship across Nigeria.
The protest is scheduled to begin opposite the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel near Ola-Iya Junction in Osogbo.
In a statement signed by Victor Lijofi, the group said the protest would press for urgent reforms in governance, human rights, security, and economic policies.
“The people of Osun State, young and old, working class and unemployed, will take to the streets in a peaceful protest, as part of the Democracy Day nationwide protest,” the statement read.
“The goal is to demand democratic running of the Nigerian state with principles such as good governance, protection of human rights, free and fair electoral process, and accountability.”
The group blamed the Bola Tinubu-led administration for plunging the country into deeper insecurity and economic crisis.
“The present state of the country is nothing to write home about, as the promise of a renewed hope by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now turned to renewed hopelessness,” it said.
“Nigeria is now faced with unbearable insecurity and economic hardship that have strangled this nation.
“The last two years of APC rule have pushed the Nigerian people into monumental poverty. Over 100 million people have been pushed below the poverty line due to poor healthcare, education, unemployment, insecurity, and the general poor standard of living.”
The group also criticised the PDP-led Osun State Government, accusing it of failing to cushion the effect of hardship on citizens.
“This government has never completed teachers’ recruitment in the last one year, has allowed the Amotekun corps to harass and oppress the people without caution, refused to respond to hardship brought by housing inefficiency, and joined their PC counterparts to close down the Local Government Secretariat across the state.”
The demands of the protesters include:
An end to terrorism, banditry, and insecurity
Increased funding for education and replacement of student loans with grants
Return of subsidies on fuel, electricity, and food
An end to police brutality and illegal arrests
A halt to foreign loans
Repeal of the Cybercrime Act and protection of free speech
Reversal of petrol and electricity tariff hikes
The group warned security agencies against disrupting the protest, stressing that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right.
“We want to send a strong warning to the police force and all other security agencies that are usually being used to disrupt peaceful protests to desist from such acts,” the group stated.
“Protest is a constitutional right, as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.”
They also commended journalists for their continued role in strengthening democracy.
“We acknowledge the men and women of the press towards dedication to truth-telling, exposing corruption, and amplifying the voices of the common man. We commend their bravery and professionalism.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
