A sweeping wave of discontent has seized the Internet and social media platforms as Nigerians prepare for a national protest on April 7, aimed at repealing the controversial Cybercrime Act.
This legislation has sparked widespread outrage from various sectors of society, particularly the youth, who view it as an infringement on civil liberties and an attempt to stifle free speech.
Many critics of the Cybercrime Act, argue that it is a strategic move by the government to silence dissent and curtail the public’s ability to express their opinions, particularly concerning governance.
“Any law that forbids us from speaking our truths against oppression in Nigeria is no longer a law but shackles of slavery,” stated an X user @Cocoanut Head, a prominent social media commentator.
The protest is set to unfold in multiple key locations, including Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Jos, Plateau State; Iwo Road in Ibadan; and outside the National Assembly in Abuja, all starting at 8 am.
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Additionally, Lagos will also see a significant turnout. Organizers emphasize that this coordinated effort, aims to unify voices from across the nation against what they perceive as escalating governmental oppression.
The call to action resonates deeply with many Nigerians, who feel that apathy and silence allow those in power to continue perpetuating hardship and inequality.
Commenting further on X, @Cocoanut Head added: “We cannot continue like this; our silence and docility empower them to impoverish us further, making life increasingly difficult and silencing our voices.”
Another X use @Headmaster said “we must rise up and resist oppression and suppression. It’s time to take our grievances from online rants to the streets.
“We need boots on the ground to confront the realities of hunger, rampant violence, and the systematic suppression of dissenting voices in our society.”
This planned demonstration symbolizes a crucial moment for collective action, as Nigerians rally together to demand change and uphold their rights to free expression and assembly.