As Nigeria prepares for nationwide protests on August 1, numerous lawmakers are traveling abroad. Senators, House members, and officials from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) are departing under the pretext of medical checkups and summer vacations. This comes after the sudden closure of the National Assembly to enable members to obtain visas ahead of the protests.
Senators and representatives expressed fears that if the protests proceed, they could become targets. Many recalled the violent events of 2020, when protesters attacked them and vandalized their properties. One senator highlighted that, unlike ministers and governors who enjoy robust security, lawmakers often fend for themselves, making them vulnerable during such uprisings.
He pointed to a recent incident in Kenya, where protesters attacked the National Parliament, endangering lawmakers while the president and cabinet members were protected. “We were supposed to adjourn for our annual break next week. But we had a meeting where many lawmakers voiced their concerns about imminent threats to their lives if the protests happened. We begged the leadership to bring forward the adjournment date. They listened,” he said.
Lawmakers who can’t afford private security are opting to leave the country. “Some of us are not going to Europe or America. Some colleagues are even in Ghana and South Africa. Holders of diplomatic passports often get visas on arrival,” he added. “I’ve secured my ticket and am 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 attack. It is safer to leave until things calm down.”
A travel agent at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, confirmed a surge in emergency tickets for lawmakers traveling to Europe, the Middle East, and other African countries. She noted that the high demand for international flights has doubled ticket prices. “Summer tickets have gone up because of the sudden demand from government officials. Many senators and their colleagues in the House of Representatives are requesting tickets. Some ministers are also getting tickets, claiming medical checkups, but I doubt it,” she said.
She shared an anecdote about booking a $3,000 return ticket to the United States for a senator. “South Africa and the United Kingdom are the most sought-after destinations by lawmakers. Others are asking for tickets to Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Even Ghana is also on the list,” she explained. “One senator jokingly told me he’s leaving Nigeria to save his head. He said he’s unsure how the protests will turn out. I could see the fear in his eyes. I got a ticket to Turkey for him.”
The impending protests stem from widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies. Citizens are protesting against rising hardship, demanding better governance and economic relief.
