SOWORE LEADS REVOLUTIONNOW PROTEST IN ABUJA OVER XENOPHOBIA, INSECURITY, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

The RevolutionNow movement on Wednesday staged a protest in Abuja, with its convener, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, leading hundreds of demonstrators to demand an end to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, rising insecurity and worsening economic conditions in the country.

The protesters, who converged in the Federal Capital Territory early in the day, marched through parts of the city carrying placards and banners condemning attacks on Nigerians in South Africa while expressing frustration over the nation’s security challenges and increasing cost of living.

They urged the Federal Government to take stronger diplomatic measures to safeguard Nigerians living in South Africa and, at the same time, tackle the growing economic difficulties and insecurity affecting millions of citizens across the country.

The demonstration is the latest in the RevolutionNow campaign, a movement launched by Sowore in 2019 to advocate for good governance, transparency, accountability and improved welfare for Nigerians.

The campaign gained national and international attention in August 2019 when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari moved to stop planned nationwide protests.

Following the planned demonstrations, Sowore was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos and taken to Abuja, where the Federal Government charged him with treason and other offences.

His arrest and continued detention at the time drew criticism from local and international human rights organisations, civil society groups and democracy advocates, who argued that it undermined freedom of expression and the constitutional right to peaceful protest.

Over the years, the RevolutionNow movement has continued to organise protests and public campaigns focused on issues such as insecurity, corruption, unemployment, police brutality, poor governance and the country’s worsening economic situation.

As of Wednesday morning, the protesters remained on the streets of Abuja, singing solidarity songs and calling on the government to take immediate action on the concerns raised during the demonstration.