June 12: Is Protest the Way Out for Nigerians?

As Nigeria marks Democracy Day on June 12, a day rooted in the struggle for free and fair governance, the streets across 20 states are set to witness a heated reflection, protest.

This time, not just in memory of Moshood Abiola’s symbolic 1993 election victory, but in response to the harsh realities of today, soaring economic hardship, insecurity, and what many now call a shrinking space for civic freedom.

From Lagos to Benin, Abuja to Akure, citizens under the banner of the #TakeItBackMovement are mobilising for a peaceful protest. Their demand is simple but urgent: accountability. They’re asking the government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to step up, do more, act better, and stop failing the people.

But the question on many lips is: will protesting change anything?

Nation under pressure

More than 133 million Nigerians are now classified as poor. Food prices are unbearable, transport costs have doubled, and insecurity remains rampant in many parts of the country. 

These aren’t just statistics, they are everyday struggles. For many, June 12 is not just a remembrance of democratic ideals, it’s a cry for help.

Juwon Sanyaolu, national coordinator of the movement, put it plainly: “We are taking to the streets to demand good governance and real action against the hardship that’s choking Nigerians.” 

The protest locations, Eagle Square in Abuja, Toll Gate in Lagos, and several junctions and roundabouts in other states are not chosen at random. They represent visibility, defiance, and an appeal for solidarity.

Between the protest and the state

In the lead-up to the protests, security forces have begun positioning themselves. Anti-riot police are being deployed. In Lagos, Ogun, and Niger states, police say they are preparing to maintain order, not suppress the people. 

But for many Nigerians, the fear remains. Previous protests, including those against subsidy removals, ended in arrests, injuries, and even deaths.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has already warned against heavy-handed policing, calling on officers to protect, not provoke, peaceful demonstrators. Yet, despite reassurances, the lingering memory of past crackdowns casts a shadow.

Why now?

This year marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. That’s an achievement worth noting. But democracy isn’t just about elections and anniversaries, it’s about governance that serves the people. 

Many Nigerians believe that the essence of democracy is being eroded by policies that seem to ignore their plight.

Rising fuel costs, increasing violence in rural communities, and the clampdown on dissenting voices have only widened the gap between government and the governed. With the arrests of vocal figures like Omoyele Sowore and Prof. Usman Yusuf, critics say it’s becoming harder to speak truth to power.

Protest – A tool or a gamble?

So, is protest the way out? It depends on who you ask. For the organisers, protest is a moral obligation, a chance to be seen and heard. For the government, it’s a pressure point that tests its tolerance for dissent. 

For everyday Nigerians, it’s a risk. Yet, with no sign of relief from inflation or insecurity, many are choosing to take that risk.

Protest may not change everything overnight, but it sends a message: Nigerians are watching, hurting, and demanding better.

What comes next?

Whether June 12 becomes a turning point or just another date on the protest calendar will depend on the government’s response. Will it listen, or will it clamp down? Will it open dialogue, or will it turn away?