Key Points
- The protest group known as #Endbadgovernance to conduct demonstrations against Rivers emergency rule and the Cybercrime Act.
- Group members demanded that authorities should reverse Emergency Rule while also seeking the repeal of the Cybercrime Act.
- The Police supports the Cybercrime Act for its ability to fight misinformation.
A nationwide protest dated April 7, 2025 will take place to stand against the executive rule in Rivers State and raise concerns about police misuse of the Cybercrime Act against activists and journalists and social media influencers.
A demonstration named “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Free Speech Suppression” will occur at the National Assembly in Abuja based on information from a Take It Back Movement relayed flyer.
Key protest demands of #Endbadgovernance group
Juwon Sanyaolu from the Take It Back (TIB) Movement as national coordinator emphasized the main objectives of the protest which focused on dissolving the Cybercrime Act. He condemned this legislation because it undermined constitutional speech rights through unfair targeting of journalism professionals along with their supporters on social media platforms and those working in activist roles.
Sanyaolu demanded that President Bola Tinubu stop his emergency measure in Rivers State because he saw it as equivalent to military control of the state. Sanyaolu campaigned for restoring the State House of Assembly and Executive institutions who lost their positions because of emergency rule implementation.
Background on Rivers State emergency rule
President Tinubu established emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025 because of an enduring political conflict triggered by Governor Siminalayi Fubara versus the Rivers State House of Assembly under the influence of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
An administration took control of Rivers State while the state governor and legislators spent six months inactive. The National Assembly lends support to President Tinubu while many others maintain the decision violates Nigerian constitutional norms.
Cybercrime Act controversy
The#Endbadgovernance group to protest on the Cybercrime Act because the law has been implemented against journalists who voice criticism toward the government.
People employed as journalists such as Segun Olatunji, Dayo Aiyetan, and Daniel Ojukwu with Nurudeen Akewushola faced the consequences of the mentioned legislation in 2024.
Numerous observers believe the police are misusing Cybercrime laws to silence critics of the government despite their statements that journalists remain untouched by these measures.
Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi supported the Cybercrime Act by explaining that the legislation targets fake information rather than targeting government critics.
