Hardship: Senators, Reps Flee Abroad Ahead Of Planned Protest In Nigeria
As some Nigerian youths prepare for the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protests on August 1, a number of Senators, House of Representatives members, and Federal Executive Council (FEC) members are reportedly leaving the country, citing medical checkups and summer holidays as their reasons.
The National Assembly chambers were abruptly closed last Tuesday, allowing members to process their visas and leave the country before the anticipated protests.
This action was taken due to increasing concerns over safety and security during the upcoming protests.
Several lawmakers, speaking anonymously to Daily Sun, expressed their fears of becoming targets if the nationwide protests proceed as planned.
They cited the violent incidents during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where many were attacked and their properties vandalised in their constituencies.
A senator, who preferred to remain unnamed, highlighted the vulnerability of lawmakers compared to ministers, governors, and presidential aides, who security agents often protect.
He emphasized that lawmakers are more accessible to the public, making them potential targets during major uprisings.
The lawmaker said, โWe were supposed to adjourn for our annual break next week. But we had a meeting where many lawmakers complained to the leadership of the National Assembly about the imminent threats to their lives if the protests were eventually held. We begged them to bring back the adjournment date. They listened to us.
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โLawmakers who cannot afford the needed security are leaving until the madness calms down. Some of us are not going to Europe or America. Some of our colleagues are even in Ghana and South Africa. You know for holders of diplomatic passports, it is often visa on arrival.
โAs Iโm talking to you, Iโve secured my ticket, and Iโm leaving Abuja this weekend. President Bola Tinubu is protected. All his ministers have enough security. Governors enjoy the same. I donโt have anyone to protect me if the protesters should attack. It is safer to leave until things calm down.โ
A travel agent, who works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, told Daily Sun that she had secured emergency tickets for many members of the National Assembly in the last week, who are travelling to Europe, the Middle East, and other African countries.
The travel agent explained that a visit to the various international airports in the country would confirm her claims.
She said the high demand for international flight tickets has significantly increased the cost, almost double the original price.
She said, โSummer tickets have gone up because of the sudden demand for them by the governmentโs officials. Many senators and their colleagues in the House of Representatives are the ones asking for the tickets. Some ministers are also getting tickets, claiming that theyโre going for medical checkups, but I doubt it.
โI booked a flight for one senator on Saturday to the United States of America for almost $3,000 for a return ticket. South Africa and the United Kingdom are the most sought-after tickets by lawmakers. Others are asking for tickets to Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Even Ghana is also on the list.
โBut one of them jokingly told me that he was leaving Nigeria to save his head. He said heโs not sure how the protests will turn out. I could see the fear in his eyes. I got a ticket to Turkey for him.”
