Nigerians have taken to the streets in major cities to protest economic hardship, despite last-minute government efforts to stop the demonstrations.
Inflation has soared to 34% due to the removal of subsidies and the floating of the naira, pushing basic items out of reach for millions.
The #EndBadGovernance protest gained traction on social media, particularly among young Nigerians. Despite warnings from President Bola Tinubu, governors, lawmakers, and traditional rulers about potential criminal hijacking of the rallies, the Take It Back Movement pressed on.
They rejected requests from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to limit the protests, listing several cities and spots for the demonstrations.
Protesters are demanding the restoration of petrol subsidies, addressing food shortages, unemployment, and government waste.
They also call for immediate reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle corruption more effectively.
The protest is gaining momentum in all the states. Abuja protest has experienced some chaotic moments where teargas were thrown at protesters and gun shots on the air to disperse protesters and stop them for gathering at Eagle Square.
in Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and shunk of other states, the protest have been considerably peaceful. In PortHarcout, Rivers State, the governor came out to address the protesters.
In Kaduna and Kano, there have been pockets of chaos but under control.
In Borno State, the government has imposed 24 hours curfew, so invariably no movement, but the protesters defied the curfew and are on the streets of Maiduguri battling with the police who are throwing teargas at them.
In Adamawa State, the protest shifted to an appreciation rally for President Tinubu, with groups of women holding placards praising him.
No protest in Imo State. The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, had warned earlier that the Ibo’s should not get involved in the #endbadgovernance protest.
The organisers of the #endbadgovernance have listed their 12 points demands as follows:
- Revert petrol pump price to N100/litre
- Combat insecurity and hunger
- Close all IDP camps and resettle the campers.
- Total electoral reform
- Independent probe into the electoral budget of N355 billion.
- Immediate release of ENDSARS protesters still in detention
- Implementation of living wage (minimum wage of N300k)
- Compulsory free education from primary to secondary school.
- Children of public school holders must attend public schools in the country.
- Government must patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.
- Transition to unicameral legislation.
- Judicial and constitutional review
The protest is to last for 10 days, beginning from August 1 – 10.
Watch out for updates as it unfolds!
