Abuja, June 12 – Heavily armed security operatives on Thursday morning barricaded the main entrance of the National Assembly complex, preventing access by protesters who had gathered for a Democracy Day demonstration.
The protest, led by the Take It Back Movement in collaboration with various civil society organizations, forms part of a nationwide outcry against what they describe as “two years of misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The demonstrators had initially planned to gather at Eagle Square, but later redirected their movement to the National Assembly, where President Tinubu is expected to address a joint session as part of the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations.
Protest Leadership: No Change in Message
Speaking on the eve of the protest, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, clarified that the change in protest venue did not alter the purpose of their demonstration.
“That we earlier said the protest would hold at Eagle Square doesn’t foreclose the fact that Nigerians cannot organise themselves at the National Assembly to protest the two years of misrule under Tinubu,” Sanyaolu stated.
“The unprecedented hardship and insecurity we have experienced under his government are alarming. So Nigerians will be turning out nationwide to protest against this, and the National Assembly is one of those spaces where Nigerians can exercise their constitutional rights,” he added.
Tight Security and Tense Atmosphere
On arrival at the venue, Hobnob News correspondents observed a formidable security presence, including personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and armed police officers stationed at strategic points around the gate.
Iron barricades and a long security truck were used to block access to the complex, effectively sealing off the entrance to deter any potential breach by protesters.
As of the time of filing this report, the atmosphere around the complex remained tense but controlled, with both demonstrators and security operatives maintaining a cautious distance.
National Significance
June 12, widely recognized as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, commemorates the 1993 presidential election, believed to be the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, but annulled by the military regime at the time.
This year’s protests reflect growing discontent among citizens over economic challenges, insecurity, and governance concerns, with calls for reform and accountability resonating across major cities in Nigeria.
