The event scheduled for October 1 in Umuahia, Abia State, under the hashtag #FearlessOctober1, has attracted little interest from residents. Contrary to expectations, no protests or demonstrations were observed in the state capital. Residents went about their daily lives, with shops and business centers in the city open and traffic moving smoothly.
A trader on Uzuakoli Road, who preferred to remain anonymous, was asked about the lack of mobilization. He explained that residents of the South-East were reluctant to participate in the protests, fearing potential reprisals. According to him, the idea of joining the movement could have been turned against them, exposing them to violence by the security forces. This legitimate fear deterred many residents from joining the protest, although the suffering associated with economic hardship was very much present.
This situation raises questions about the engagement and mobilisation of the region’s inhabitants in protest movements. The disinterest observed during the events of last August, and now for #FearlessOctober1, highlights deep concerns about security and potential reprisals that could arise from participation in such protests.
It is important to note that the South East, including Abia State, has already shown low levels of participation in previous national protests. The reasons for this reluctance are multiple and would deserve to be examined more closely to understand the socio-political dynamics underlying this situation.
In sum, the absence of mobilisation in Umuahia highlights the complexity of the issues shaping the political and social landscape in Nigeria, and invites a deeper reflection on the forms of citizen expression and protest in a context of increasing tensions.