June 12 Protest: organisers announce nationwide venues
The Take It Back Movement, organisers of the planned June 12 protest, have released a list of confirmed venues across Nigeria where demonstrators are expected to gather in protest against economic hardship, insecurity, and what they describe as the erosion of civic freedoms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, told reporters on Monday that protests will be held in at least 20 locations across the country.
“In Abuja, the protest begins at Eagle Square at 8:00 a.m.
In Lagos, gatherings will take place at four sites—Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate—starting at 7:00 a.m.,” he said.
Additional locations include Cathedral Junction in Akure (8:00 a.m.), Museum Ground in Benin City (9:00 a.m.), Gida Matasa in Niger State (8:00 a.m.), and Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu (7:30 a.m.). In Ibadan, protesters will gather at Mokola Roundabout by 8:00 a.m.
Other confirmed venues include sites in Bauchi, Osun, Delta, Adamawa, and Borno states, with Delta State having five locations including Sapele, Asaba, Ughelli, Warri, and Abraka.
Sanyaolu said the protest, timed to coincide with Democracy Day, is a call for government accountability and a reaffirmation of Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
“Our demands remain unchanged. We are using June 12 to assert our right to demand responsible governance.
The Constitution mandates the government to ensure the welfare and security of citizens—both of which have deteriorated under this administration,” he said.
Citing Amnesty International, he noted that over 10,000 Nigerians have died due to insecurity since Tinubu took office, with more than 133 million people living in multidimensional poverty.
He highlighted mass displacements in states such as Benue and Plateau as evidence of the growing crisis.
Sanyaolu also accused the government of silencing dissent and shrinking civic space.
“Freedom of expression is under siege. Government critics and opposition voices face constant persecution,” he said.
He urged security agencies to respect the protesters’ rights, reminding them that peaceful assembly is constitutionally protected and affirmed by the Supreme Court.
“Security forces must protect, not suppress, peaceful demonstrators. It’s their constitutional duty,” he said.
Sanyaolu called on Nigerians to turn out in large numbers to “reclaim the soul of the country” and demand better governance.
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