Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has cautioned against the planned nationwide protest on October 1, warning that it could lead to looting and vandalism rather than achieving any meaningful outcome. The protest, organized under the banner of the #FearlessOctober1 movement, aims to address the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. However, Governor Abiodun emphasized that constructive dialogue with the government is the way forward, urging citizens to avoid actions that could lead to civil unrest.
The organizers of the protest, led by Juwon Sanyaolu of the Take It Back Movement and Damilare Adenola, have declared that they will proceed with the demonstrations in Abuja and Lagos despite opposition from security forces, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the military. They intend to stage protests at Eagle Square in Abuja and under the Ikeja Bridge in Lagos.
Speaking during a special church service in Abeokuta to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, Governor Abiodun urged citizens to remain resilient and prayerful. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and constructive engagement with the government instead of resorting to violence.
He stated:
“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land, and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.”
Abiodun further highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the public, including the deployment of CNG buses, energy transition programs, reduced workdays for civil servants, and free medical services for vulnerable groups. He also announced plans to complete farmers' markets and launch Gateway Trading Company, which will offer food at wholesale prices to help ease the cost of living for residents.
The governor's message aligns with calls for dialogue and constructive solutions to address the economic issues faced by Nigerians, rather than turning to protests and civil disobedience.
