A Democracy Day protest in Akure turned chaotic after suspected thugs attacked peaceful demonstrators.
Led by activist Omoyele Sowore, the disrupted march drew national attention to Nigeria’s deepening discontent and shrinking democratic space.
What was meant to be a peaceful demonstration in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, turned chaotic on Thursday as suspected thugs disrupted a protest organized to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The protesters had gathered to voice their frustrations over growing insecurity and worsening economic conditions across the country.
The demonstration began in the early hours of the day at several strategic locations in the city, including Cathedral Junction, the First Bank area, and the popular ‘A’ Division axis. Protesters, bearing placards and chanting solidarity songs, marched through the streets in an orderly and non-violent manner. The event was part of nationwide activities commemorating June 12, a day set aside to honor Nigeria’s return to democratic rule and to reflect on the journey so far.
June 12 holds special significance in Nigeria’s political history, as it represents the country’s struggle for democracy, particularly in honor of the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by the late Moshood Abiola. In recent years, it has also become a symbolic day for citizens to highlight their grievances and call for reforms.
However, the peaceful atmosphere in Akure did not last long. According to eyewitnesses, the protest was suddenly disrupted when a group of unidentified men, suspected to be political thugs, stormed the area where the demonstrators had converged. The attackers reportedly assaulted some of the protesters and created panic, forcing many participants to flee in fear for their safety.
One of the leaders of the protest was Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and founder of the African Action Congress (AAC). Sowore, who is also a well-known activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, condemned the attack and accused security operatives of failing to provide the necessary protection despite being informed ahead of time.
Speaking after the incident, Sowore said, “We duly notified the police about our intention to hold a peaceful protest as guaranteed by the constitution. Unfortunately, not only did the police fail to protect us, but thugs were allowed to violently disrupt our gathering without consequence. This is a direct attack on our democratic rights.”
Human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, who was also present at the protest, expressed his concern over the violent interruption. He described the attack as a shameful reflection of the state of Nigeria’s democracy. According to Temokun, it is unacceptable for any group of citizens to be attacked for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“What we witnessed today is yet another example of how difficult it has become for Nigerians to speak up without being intimidated or assaulted,” Temokun said. “If democracy is truly what we celebrate on June 12, then we must allow citizens the freedom to demand better governance without fear.”
Despite the disruption, the protesters vowed that their message had already been heard loud and clear. They emphasized that the issues of insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and leadership failure must not be ignored. Many reiterated their demand for urgent intervention by the government to improve the quality of life for ordinary Nigerians.
The incident in Akure mirrors similar protests held in cities such as Lagos and Abuja, where citizens took to the streets to demand justice, improved security, and a better standard of living. The widespread demonstrations indicate a growing wave of discontent among Nigerians, particularly among the youth and civil society groups.
As Democracy Day came to a close, many were left reflecting on the state of Nigeria’s political system questioning whether the ideals of democracy were truly being upheld or if they were merely ceremonial, honored in name but violated in practice.
