With just 24 hours remaining before the anticipated 10-day hunger protest, the Federal Government has taken significant actions to prevent the demonstration from proceeding.

FULL LIST: 24 Hours Before Hunger Protest—Steps the FG Has Taken to Prevent the Demonstration

Recently, the Take It Back movement called for a nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance in Nigeria. This protest, named “Days of Rage,” is scheduled to take place across the country from August 1 to 10.

In response, several prominent figures, groups, and religious organizations have voiced concerns. These include the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), and the Muslim Rights Concern. Their concerns are centered around the fear that the protest could be hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives that may not benefit the country.

Former Niger Delta freedom fighter Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has also weighed in, urging the protest organizers to avoid the Niger Delta region. Dokubo-Asari criticized the protest’s organizers for not addressing the specific issues of the Niger Delta people. He warned that any attempt to enter the oil-rich region would be met with resistance, accusing the organizers of being merely interested in exploiting the region’s resources, labeling them as ‘anarchists.’

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged all groups planning to join the protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. This measure aims to ensure that the protest remains peaceful.

Egbetokun stated, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide the necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.”

The protest, which has garnered support on social media, has received endorsements from presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

In light of these developments, this report by PUNCH Online outlines the major steps taken by the Federal Government to prevent the protest, as they consider the demonstration unnecessary and prefer allowing President Tinubu more time to address governance issues.