Nigerians have taken to the streets in major cities across the country to protest economic hardship, despite the government’s last-minute efforts to prevent the demonstration.
Inflation has reached 34%, owing primarily to the twin policies of subsidy removal and naira floating. That has pushed the cost of basic items beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians.
Talks about the demonstration, tagged #EndBadGovernance protest, had gained momentum on social media, leading to discussions among young Nigerians on digital platforms.
Authorities across the country, in the wake of calls for the protest, rallied around to halt it. They issued a warning that criminals might take them hostage. While they admitted to the challenges facing the nation, they urged the organisers to shelve the protest and give the government more time to address the issues raised.
But undeterred, the Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the protest, said it was not going back on the rallies. Some of the demands of the protesters include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power. Other are immediate reforms of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.
Lagos Protesters Hold Street Procession Despite Court Order
Despite a court order restraining the #Endbadgovernance protests in Lagos to specific venues, the demonstrators still held street processions in the nation’s commercial capital.
REPORTERS AT LARGE recalls that a Lagos High Court on Wednesday granted an exparte application filed by the State’s Attorney General Lawal Pedro (SAN), seeking to restrict the nationwide protest, in Lagos to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park in Ketu.
As a preventative measure, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare issued an interim injunction that said the defendants could not gather and carry out the planned protests in Lagos from August 1–10, except in the two approved locations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
But the deviant protesters on Thursday marched through Alausa to Ojota, singing solidarity songs and drawing the attention of the government to the plight of the citizens.
Nigerians Out for Hardship Protests in Ilorin
Most major roads in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, are nearly empty. A few shops opened for business in commercial areas, such as Challenge.
Yesterday, a magistrate court ruled that the planned protest should be limited to Metropolitan Square and timed to be around noon. The place is empty of protesters except for a few security operatives on the ground.
Businesses shut down as hunger protest kicks off in Abuja
Major business premises in the Federal Capital Territory are currently deserted and businesses shut as protesters begin demonstrations at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, popular locations such as Bannex Plaza in Wuse II, Emab Plaza, Wuse Market, and several other malls and stores in the city centre were deserted.
Most business owners decided to remain at home due to fears of potential violence, looting, and concerns for their safety.
Meanwhile, protesters had already gathered at the National Stadium to press their demands, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough” and “End Bad Governance Now.” They were also raising the Nigerian flag.
REPORTERS AT LARGE observed a heavy security presence within the city centre, especially around the National Assembly and Federal Secretariat.
Mobility is also difficult for commuters, as there are very few public vehicles on the road, forcing many people
