As the protest against bad governance and economic hardship in Nigeria continued across Nigeria, protesters were again on the streets on the second day of the ten-day demonstration as announced by the organisers. Protesters Passing A Message The protests, tagged #Endbadgovernanceprotest began yesterday, Thursday, August 1st, 2024, and were complied with by several states across
As the protest against bad governance and economic hardship in Nigeria continued across Nigeria, protesters were again on the streets on the second day of the ten-day demonstration as announced by the organisers.
Protesters Passing A Message
The protests, tagged #Endbadgovernanceprotest began yesterday, Thursday, August 1st, 2024, and were complied with by several states across the country. The protesters lament the plight of Nigerians against economic hardships and the high cost of living as the inflation figure continues to soar. While the protest largely participated by some states in the southwest and south-south of the country, some states took a back seat in the
The demonstration, which began peacefully, quickly descended into violence in some parts of the country, making the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun raise the red flag for his men to step up their vigilance on the protesters who may wish to cause mayhem leading to a breakdown law and order in the country.
Despite the police warning, the agitators went about their demonstrations in some cases with higher intensity. The groups marched through the streets to converge at the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota in Lagos and in other places in Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Osogbo, and other states to press home their demands on the government.
Protesters Repeat Day 1 Stint in Lagos, Osogbo
The protesters in Lagos went to Ojota, the Freedom Park chanting different anti-government songs. They also displayed their banners with inscriptions, such as “We are hungry,” “Endbadgovernance,” and “Reverse all antipeople policies.”.
Protesters Doing the Jumat Prayer
However, unlike yesterday, the citizens and motorists were seen moving for their daily activities while the protesters headed for Ojo Park with their demands to the government. Also, some of the protesters who are Muslims observed their Jumaat service at the protest grounds while they were being watched by the non-Muslims amid the presence of heavy security agencies.
Addressing the protesters, Assistant Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Paul Okafor, thanked them for their peaceful conduct since the protest began yesterday, Thursday, and implored the demonstrators to relocate within the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, to prevent obstructing traffic on the primary route, but the protesters refused and remained on the road where they continued chanting protest songs, insisting that they would not rest until the government met their demands.
Osun State
Also, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, protesters took to the streets in a similar order to yesterday’s movement, chanting their demands for change in governance. They also insisted that they would not back down from the protest until after the ten days stipulated for the activity, regardless of the threats from government agents and security personnel.
Oyo State
In Ibadan, protesters began their procession from Iwo Road to Challenge to show their grievances as they demanded an end to hardship in the country. They were also joined by market women who were shouting in Yoruba that the government should come to their rescue as the costs of commodities continued to increase.
They also stated that they wanted the government to address the country’s inflation issues, which are preventing them from making a decent living. One of the protesters, Dimeji Salako, stated that they are determined to fulfill the ten days announced by the organisers of the protests, demanding good governance in the country.
“We are determined to make our demands known to the government, and as you can see, the numbers are increasing. People are already joining us and we believe they will still join us more. Yes, security agencies are here, but we are not moved by their activities, Nigeria must work for us.
“It is obvious that Nigerians are hungry, and that is enough as motivation to call and stage a protest against anti-people policies.”
Omowumi Ewatomi, a student, insisted that “government is meant for everyone; it is not rocket science; and if they can not do it, they should resign.” We are tired of hardship, we are tired of the current situation of insecurity in the country.”
Rivers State
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, demonstrators gathered at Pleasure Park to continue their protests against the country’s economic hardship. The nationwide protests, which began on August 1, 2024, aim to draw the government’s attention to the citizens’ plight.
On August 2, however, the #Endbadgovernance demonstrators stormed the Federal Secretariat, Aba Motorway, and confronted the police officers who were there to defend them. As they got closer to the on-duty police officers, they could be heard chanting, “Hungry dey, hungry day, hungry day.”
Akwa-Ibom State
It was also reported that some young people gathered on Friday in the well-known Ibom plaza near the intersection leading to the Hilltop Mansion in the state capital of Uyo Akwa, Ibom, chanting songs and addressing other young people about how important it is for everyone to join them for the ten-day demonstration.
Placards bearing messages such as “We need refineries,” “Increase Army/Police Welfare,” “We say no to insecurity,” “Give our girls jobs, not hookups,” “Reduce fuel price to N100 per liter,” and “The more you build hotels, the more you encourage prostitution” were among the statements carried by the young people.
The protesters who were at the Ibom Plaza Circus with their public address system stated that they would remain there for the next nine days until bad governance in Nigeria is completely eradicated, paving the way for a new government that will listen to the people’s yearnings.
Ogun State
Meanwhile, in Ogun State, protesters went to the Moshood Abiola stadium to stage their protest. Recall that the court has limited the protesters’ access to a few designated areas within the state, which has decreased their participation.
Ondo and Ekiti States
However, there are no reports of protests in some of the states in Nigeria today, as residents of Ondo, Ekiti, Benin, Cross Rivers, and Bayelsa did not participate in the nationwide protest slated for today, August 2nd.
South East Still Quiet
The Southwest remained for the second day running with people in the region staying indoors or engaging in some social activities. According to some of them, they have had a series of protests during the last administration which other regions of the country did not join.
Another leader from the region said that the southeast was mourning the death of three prominent sons and a daughter from the region in one week. They are Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President of the Ohanese; Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Ms Onyeka Owenu, the musician and actress.
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