The United States of America through the office of the US Mission to Nigeria has warned its citizens in Nigeria not to participate in the June 12 protest tomorrow which may likely hold in several parts of the country.

According to KemiFilaniNews, this was contained in an advisory on Friday titled, 'Demonstration Alert: US Mission Nigeria (June 11, 2021) - Nationwide Protests on Democracy Day.'

June 12 dated back in the history of Nigerian democracy of 1993 election of MKO Abiola in what many Nigerians regards to be the freest and fairest elections. It was, however, cancelled by the Ibrahim Babangida junta.

MKO Abiola declared himself the president of Nigeria and was detained.

In 2018, Buhari led administration declared June 12 as Democracy Day to commemorate the democratic election of Abiola as opposed to May 29 which is the actual day back in 1999 when the military handed over power to an elected civilian government in Nigeria. 

June 12, Abiola Day as it was formerly celebrated has got its baggage of doom as there is always serious tension in the atmosphere as the day approaches due to the history summarised above. It appears 2021 wouldn't have it differently with the current insecurity challenging the Nigerian government, #EndSARS protesters demanding answers for the shooting at Lekki toll gate on 20/10/2020, Showore and his followers demanding #BuhariMustGo and Nigerian well-meaning youths seeking government accountability and restructuring all event in one day 'June 12, 2021.'

However, the venues protesters may likely occupy tomorrow includes Unity Fountain, Abuja; Lekki tollgate plaza, Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos and most likely Lagos National Assembly Secretariat Ikeja Lagos.

The advisory read in part, “Several groups have announced their intentions to protest nationwide on June 12, Democracy Day. Police presence and response can be expected nationwide, including in Abuja where government events are scheduled to celebrate the national holiday and in Lagos where simultaneous protests are planned.

“The likely locations for the protests in Abuja will be at Unity Fountain (Hilton Hotel area), Wuse, Berger Roundabout, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Airport Road, and British Circle. In Lagos, the likely locations for protests will be Lekki Toll Gate and Gani Fawehinmi Park. Calls for the protests suggest they may begin as early as 7 am.

“Actions to Take: Avoid the areas of the demonstrations. Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. Monitor local media for updates. Keep a low profile.”