A coalition of activists under the Take It Back Movement has released a list of venues for a nationwide protest scheduled to hold on June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The protest is aimed at drawing attention to worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and what the organisers describe as a shrinking democratic space under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the group’s National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the protest will take place in at least 20 states across the country. He stated that the demonstration will be peaceful and lawful, calling on Nigerians to come out en masse to demand accountability and better governance.
“In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8:00 am. In Lagos, the protest will hold simultaneously at four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all beginning by 7:00 am,” Sanyaolu said.
Other confirmed locations and times include:
– Akure, Ondo State: Cathedral Junction (8:00 am)
– Benin City, Edo State: Museum Ground (9:00 am)
– Ibadan, Oyo State: Mokola Roundabout (8:00 am)
– Damaturu, Yobe State: Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout (7:30 am)
– Niger State: Gida Matasa (8:00 am)
– Bauchi: Opposite School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta (8:00 am)
– Osogbo, Osun State: Olaiya Junction
– Adamawa: Juppu Jam Road, Yola (8:00 am)
– Borno: Kasuwan Gamboru Flyover (8:00 am)
In Delta State, five protest venues have been listed. These include Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele, Summit and Koka Junctions in Asaba, Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli, PTI Junction and DSC Roundabout in Warri, and Police Station Junction in Abraka.
Sanyaolu said the protest is a continuation of the June 12 struggle for democracy, but now focused on the need to make democracy work for ordinary Nigerians. “June 12 is symbolic. It represents the struggle for democratic rights. We are using it to hold those in power accountable,” he said.
He criticised the Tinubu government for failing to address key issues such as poverty, inflation, and insecurity. “Over 133 million Nigerians are now multidimensionally poor. Amnesty International reports that more than 10,000 people have been killed by insecurity since this administration took office. In Benue alone, over 40,000 people have been displaced. Plateau has over 68,000 internally displaced persons,” he said.
Sanyaolu also accused the federal government of suppressing freedom of expression, targeting opposition voices, and harassing peaceful protesters.
He warned security agencies not to obstruct or repress the demonstrations, reminding them that peaceful protest is a constitutional right backed by Supreme Court rulings. “The role of the police is to protect protesters, not suppress them,” he said.
The Take It Back Movement urged Nigerians to use June 12 as a day of action to reclaim the “soul of the country” and demand better governance.
The protest comes amid growing anger over economic hardship, fuel subsidy removal, job losses, and a weakened naira, with many observers saying it could be the biggest mass demonstration since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
