The Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, known for organizing the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, has announced a nationwide demonstration against the “state of emergency” in Rivers State and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act to suppress activists, journalists, and social media influencers.
Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of TIB, stated in an interview with PUNCH that the primary demand is the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, which he claimed is being weaponized to silence free speech.
“The issue revolves around how the Cybercrime Act is used to target journalists, activists, and even social media users like SeaKing,” he explained.
The protest, set for April 7, 2025, has been described as a “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Free Speech Suppression.”
Supporters are expected to gather at the National Assembly in Abuja and other takeoff points across the country
In addition to demanding the repeal of the act, the movement is also calling for an end to what they describe as “military rule imposed by the government of President Bola Tinubu” in Rivers State.
They want the full reinstatement of all suspended government institutions, including the State House of Assembly and the Executive, while he criticized Tinubu’s policies, stating that they have caused significant hardship for Nigerians.
“Most importantly, we are demanding an end to bad governance,” he said.
The suspension of the Rivers State governor and elected representatives has drawn criticism from various quarters while Nigerians continue to grapple with economic difficulties, including a rising cost of living and soaring inflation.
The Take-It-Back Movement has promised to release more details on additional protest locations in the coming days.
In support with the national protest, some of social media users have shared their opinions in wanting for a better life, some posts on X read:
@HM_HeadMaster: “We cannot continue like this Nigerians , our silence and docility is what empowers them to continually impoverish us , make life harder for us and shut us down when we speak. We must rise up and resist the oppression and suppression.”
@olalere862: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
@kenule_tegbee: “From Buhari to Tinubu, young Nigerians have only seen hardship, soaring prices, low wages, no jobs. Cost of living is unbearable, yet the leaders don’t care. How much more can we take.”
@surestodds: “Freedom of expression should not come with fear of arrest.”
@HomemadeVibes: “The Cybercrime Act is a threat to everyone. Join us on April 7th!”
@247amebonews: “The laws that jailing activists can be used against skit makers & influencers. Defend free speech NOW!”
@Tsuichan5: “Every tweet they criminalize, every critic they jail, is proof we need to fight back. April 7, we protest for our future! Will you be there?”
@saomot2000: “oppression is caused by the lack of concern you & I show to our collective cause. The more we delay in fully participating, the further we postpone the date of our freedom. Make no mistakes: we are only free when we can collectively access our commonwealth.”
@Proficience: “This law can be used to punish anyone with an opinion. Don’t let them silence us.”
@focusedalert: “We know the national Assembly will play deaf to our demands but we are ready to enforce it with civil unrest!!!”
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