On Thursday morning, security operatives barricaded the main entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja to block protesters from entering the premises.
The Take It Back Movement, along with several civil society groups, organized the protest as part of nationwide demonstrations marking June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The organisers aimed to draw attention to what they describe as two years of “misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They shifted the protest to the National Assembly, where President Tinubu is scheduled to address a joint session as part of the celebrations.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, emphasized on the eve of the protest that relocating to the National Assembly did not alter the protest’s objective.
He stated, “Although we initially announced Eagle Square as the venue, Nigerians still have the right to assemble at the National Assembly to protest Tinubu’s two years of misrule. The hardship and insecurity under his government are unprecedented. Nigerians will protest nationwide, and the National Assembly remains a legitimate venue to exercise that right. We encourage citizens to gather there in large numbers.”
As of the time of reporting, tension remained high around the area. Meanwhile a heavy deployment of security forces, including operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and armed police officers. Authorities blocked the entrance with iron barricades and a long truck, effectively sealing off access.
