June 12 Must not be Hijacked: A Call for Unity over Unrest
By Bem Terwase from Gwer-West
What does it mean to honor a nation's democratic journey? What legacy do we uphold when we gather in public spaces, protest placards in hand, on a day meant to commemorate the birth of our democracy? These are the questions we must ask ourselves as the "Take It Back Movement" prepares for a protest on June 12, a day sacred to the Nigerian spirit, a day born from struggle, sacrifice, and the hope of a brighter future. This protest, being frantically marketed across social media platforms, most notably on X, is no spontaneous expression of democratic will. It is a calculated disruption, with plans to ignite demonstrations in cities including Abuja, Lagos, and other business hubs, cloaking its agenda in the language of justice, but scratch beneath the surface, and what you find is not a demand for reform, but a risk of ruin.