Organizers of the Take It Back Movement vow to hold their protest against economic hardship at Eagle Square, Abuja, despite the Federal Capital Territory Minister’s claim of not receiving their permit request. The protest is set for August 1, with tensions escalating over venue approval and security fees.
The Take It Back Movement, a group organizing a protest against hunger and hardship, has vowed to hold their demonstration at Eagle Square in Abuja with or without government permission. Damilare Adenola, the Movement's Mobilization Director, stated on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics that they had officially requested permission from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, through a letter dated July 26, 2024, and posted it on social media. However, Wike claimed he had not received any formal application and criticized the group for attempting to apply through social media. He emphasized the need for proper application procedures, including security deposits for potential damages.
Adenola blamed bureaucratic delays for the minister not receiving the letter and asserted that the letter would be delivered on Monday. He also argued that the Eagle Square is public property and questioned the minister's expectations for payment from financially struggling Nigerian youths. Despite the challenges, Adenola confirmed that the protest would proceed at Eagle Square on August 1st.
The protest, scheduled to be held across all states and the FCT, has garnered significant support on social media. Samson Itodo, Director of Yiaga Africa, urged the government to engage with the protesters constructively. He emphasized that the Nigerian constitution’s Section 40 does not require protesters to obtain a permit for peaceful demonstrations.
The movement aims to draw attention to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians and insists on their right to protest peacefully despite bureaucratic hurdles
