Pro-democracy group Take It Back Movement has called on residents of Rivers State to join a nationwide civic action on June 12, 2026, to protest rising insecurity, economic hardship and shrinking democratic freedoms. The group announced the plan in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
TIB urged youths, workers, students, market women, civil society organisations, professionals and other concerned citizens to gather at the Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt from 7am for what it described as a peaceful civic assembly and demonstration.
The group said the date was chosen to highlight Nigeria’s democratic struggle and press for accountability.
According to the movement, June 12 remains a sacred date in Nigeria’s democratic history that symbolises the people’s will and resistance against tyranny. It said this year’s protest is aimed at sending a clear message that citizens can no longer endure worsening insecurity, crushing economic hardship, poverty, bad governance and the shrinking of civic space.
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The group raised concerns over the rising wave of insecurity across the country, including school abductions and violent attacks that have heightened fear among citizens. It also criticised economic policies it said had pushed millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty and hunger while a privileged few continue to accumulate wealth.
TIB further condemned the use of laws such as the Cybercrime Act to suppress dissent and silence critics.
TIB stressed that the demonstration would be peaceful and urged participants to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid acts that could lead to violence.
It appealed to security agencies to respect citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest.
The planned June 12 action is expected to form part of coordinated demonstrations across different states as civil society groups mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day with demands for reforms and improved living conditions.
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