Nigerian Independence Day Sparks Protests and Calls for Democratic Revival Amid Economic Challenges
On October 1, during the celebration of Nigeria's 64th Independence Day, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, voiced concerns about the nation's slide towards a one-party dictatorship. Atiku called on Nigerians to reclaim their country, urging political leaders to unite and form a strong opposition against what he described as manipulative governance by the ruling party. He stressed the need to protect the country's democracy from erosion(
Meanwhile, protests against economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance occurred in Abuja on the same day. The police used teargas to disperse demonstrators in Utako and Jabi markets, where protesters carried banners expressing their frustrations with slogans like "We are hungry" and "Enough is Enough." The protests were part of the #EndBadGovernance movement, which coincided with the Independence Day celebrations(
These events highlight growing discontent over governance, economic challenges, and the perceived decline of democratic practices in Nigeria.
