The organizers of the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest have announced plans to protest against the emergency rule in Rivers State and the alleged use of the Cybercrime Act by the police to target activists, journalists, and social media influencers.
A flyer circulating on the social media platform X, shared by one of last year’s protest groups, the Take It Back Movement, promotes the April 7, 2025 action, titled “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Free Speech Suppression.” The protest will gather at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
In an interview on Monday, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of Take It Back, emphasized that their demand is for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, which they claim is being used to suppress free speech. Sanyaolu explained that journalists, activists, and social media users, such as SeaKing, have been particularly targeted under this law.
The group is also calling for the reversal of the emergency rule in Rivers State, which President Bola Tinubu imposed on March 18, 2025, amid a political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. Tinubu suspended the governor and lawmakers for six months, appointing a sole administrator to run the state. This decision has sparked controversy, with many arguing that it violates the constitution, though the National Assembly has supported the move.
Sanyaolu also criticized Tinubu’s policies for causing suffering, adding that the protest is not limited to Abuja. “It’s a national protest, and more locations will be announced soon,” he said.
The police have denied accusations of targeting journalists or suppressing press freedom through the amended Cybercrime Act of 2024. Despite this, the country has seen increasing crackdowns on journalists under the Act, with several well-known figures in the media, such as Segun Olatunji, Daniel Ojukwu, and Dayo Aiyetan, among those affected.
In a video posted on Facebook last month, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi clarified that the police are not arresting anyone for criticizing the government but are instead focusing on those spreading falsehoods, misinformation, and defamation online. He stressed that the police have not charged anyone for simply criticizing government officials but have pursued those involved in spreading damaging content.