As Nigeria braces for the #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled for August 1, a significant number of senators, members of the House of Representatives, and some Federal Executive Council (FEC) members are reportedly leaving the country. These departures are being justified as medical checkups and summer holidays, but sources indicate they are preemptive measures in response to the anticipated protests.
The National Assembly chambers were unexpectedly closed last Tuesday, providing lawmakers time to secure visas and travel arrangements before the protests. This move reflects heightened concerns over safety and security amid the expected civil unrest.
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Several lawmakers, speaking anonymously to Daily Sun, expressed fears of becoming targets should the nationwide protests materialize. They pointed to the violent incidents during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, which saw many of them attacked and their properties vandalized.
A senator, who preferred to remain unnamed, highlighted the particular vulnerability of lawmakers compared to ministers, governors, and presidential aides who enjoy extensive security protection. “Lawmakers are more accessible to the public, making them potential targets during major uprisings,” he explained.
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He continued, “We were supposed to adjourn for our annual break next week. But we had a meeting where many lawmakers complained to the leadership of the National Assembly about the imminent threats to their lives if the protests were eventually held. We begged them to bring back the adjournment date. They listened to us.
“Lawmakers who cannot afford the needed security are leaving until the madness calms down. Some of us are not going to Europe or America. Some of our colleagues are even in Ghana and South Africa. You know for holders of diplomatic passports, it is often visa on arrival.
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“As I’m talking to you, I’ve secured my ticket, and I’m leaving Abuja this weekend. President Bola Tinubu is protected. All his ministers have enough security. Governors enjoy the same. I don’t have anyone to protect me if the protesters should attack. It is safer to leave until things calm down.”
A travel agent at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja confirmed a surge in emergency ticket bookings for National Assembly members heading to Europe, the Middle East, and other African countries. This demand has significantly increased the cost of international flights, almost doubling the usual price.
The travel agent shared, “Summer tickets have gone up because of the sudden demand for them by the government’s officials. Many senators and their colleagues in the House of Representatives are the ones asking for the tickets. Some ministers are also getting tickets, claiming that they’re going for medical checkups, but I doubt it.
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“I booked a flight for one senator on Saturday to the United States of America for almost $3,000 for a return ticket. South Africa and the United Kingdom are the most sought-after tickets by lawmakers. Others are asking for tickets to Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Even Ghana is also on the list.
“But one of them jokingly told me that he was leaving Nigeria to save his head. He said he’s not sure how the protests will turn out. I could see the fear in his eyes. I got a ticket to Turkey for him.”
As the protests draw near, the exodus of lawmakers and politicians underscores the mounting tension and fear of potential violence, echoing the unrest seen during the #EndSARS movement.