Protesters holding banners with the inscription #ENDBADGOVERNANCENOW
The fourth day of the #EndBadGovernance protest witnessed a rather slow turnout. Contrary to the high momentum gathered in the first three days, demonstrators seem to have shealthed their swords. Out of over ten states that started out on August 1st, only a few states including Abuja, Jos, Edo and Lagos marched out.
President Tinubu’s broadcast on Sunday morning seemed to ice the protest, though met with criticisms. While some Nigerians praised the government for implementing reform policies, protest organisers knocked, saying the president ignored the protesters’ demands like the call for a new constitution.
Despite the President’s appeal for an immediate suspension of the protest, Jos protesters defied the plea and stormed the streets. However, as sunset approached, people who identified themselves as “protest leaders” not “organisers,” disclosed that the demonstration would be relaxed. The coalition spokesperson, Viltet Enoch told newsmen that the suspension took effect from Sunday, August 4, to Tuesday, August 6.
The suspension, they say, is to allow for dialogue with relevant authorities, as stated by President Tinubu in his broadcast to the nation on Sunday. But should the dialogue not occur within the stipulated time, Jos demonstrators will resume their protest.
Flouting the president’s requests for dialogues, protesters marched out in their numbers to Freedom Park Ojota, Lagos state. However, the demonstration was quickly short-lived as Police halted the protesters at the park. Premium Times reported that Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Okafor, intervened, urging the #EndBadGovernance protesters go home and await government intervention. Later, a statement signed by the Lagos State #EndBadGovernance organising committee, organisers says they will resume in full gear the following day.
Everywhere appeared quiet in Northern states like Kano and Kaduna during the fourth day of the protest, largely due to the curfews imposed by the state governors. The situation is almost the same in Abuja, as the capital city returned to normalcy.
During a visit to the Moshood Abiola stadium, our reporter observed a handful of people with a high presence of security operatives. The low turnout could be either as a result of the violence melted on the protesters over the last three days or simply because it is a Sunday and the protesters are taking a rest or it was the magical effect of the President’s speech.
Former presidential candidate and the convener of RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, disregarded the calmness saying the mega protest continues on Monday at Eagle Square.
In Edo, protesters returned to the street and held an outdoor service. Obaseki Godwin, the state governor, blamed the federal government’s poor implementation of policies, resulting in widespread hunger among the people in the state.
Why #EndBadGovernance?
Since Thursday, August 1st, 2024, several states across Nigeria have observed the #EndBadGovernance protest which is expected to last for ten days. Hitherto the protest began, and reports of widespread police and security agencies’ brutality have been appearing on the news.
In two days, over ten people were reported killed and 681 arrested. In separate interviews with protesters, The Liberalist finds that hunger and government reckless spending triggered the #EndBadGovernance protest.
