PROTEST PLANNED AGAINST RIVERS EMERGENCY RULE AND CYBERCRIME ACT IMPLEMENTATION

Organisers of last year’s #Endbadgovernance protests have announced plans for a nationwide demonstration scheduled for April 7, 2025, targeting the federal government’s emergency rule in Rivers State and alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act against critics, journalists, and social media influencers.
The Take It Back Movement, one of the groups behind the 2024 protests, has distributed mobilisation materials across social media platforms, particularly on X, calling for citizens to assemble at strategic locations including the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Speaking exclusively Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, outlined their demands: “Our primary focus is pushing for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act which has become a tool for suppressing free speech. Journalists, activists and social media personalities like SeaKing have fallen victim to this legislation.”
Sanyaolu further explained their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, which saw the suspension of both Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature for six months, replaced by a presidential appointee.
“We’re demanding an immediate end to what amounts to military rule imposed on Rivers State. All suspended government organs must be reinstated, including the State House of Assembly and Executive,” he insisted.
The activist emphasized that the protest extends beyond these specific issues to address broader concerns about governance under the current administration. “Most importantly, we’re calling for an end to bad governance. President Tinubu’s policies have caused tremendous hardship for Nigerians,” Sanyaolu told our correspondent.
While the initial announcement highlighted Abuja as a focal point, Sanyaolu confirmed that the protest will be nationwide, with “flyers for additional protest locations to be released shortly.”
The Nigeria Police Force has repeatedly denied allegations of weaponizing the amended Cybercrime Act of 2024 against journalists or government critics. Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi recently stated, “We have not charged or arrested anybody for criticising the government, the Inspector General of Police or the police.”
However, multiple journalists faced legal challenges under the Act last year, including Segun Olatunji (First News), Daniel Ojukwu (Foundation for Investigative Journalism), Dayo Aiyetan and Nurudeen Akewushola (International Centre for Investigative Reporting).
The emergency rule in Rivers State, which National Assembly members have endorsed despite constitutional concerns raised by legal experts, stems from the prolonged political crisis between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.