By Shishang John
August 2, 2024
Nigerians have poured into the streets in major cities across the nation to protest against economic hardship despite the Government’s last-minute push to prevent the demonstration.
Inflation has reached 34 per cent owing majorly to the twin policies of subsidy removal and floating of the naira. 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 discussions among young Nigerians on digital platforms.
Authorities across the country had in the wake of calls for the protest rallied around to halt it. They warned that they might be hijacked by criminals. 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.
01:26 pm: A concerned citizen also provided water and drinks to protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
01:18 pm: Business Activities Paralysed, Movements Partially Restricted As Police Enforce Curfew In Katsina
Business activities in Katsina State have been paralyzed with most business owners shutting down their shops in fear of being attacked or looted following the announcement of a curfew by the State Government after Thursday’s nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
Although the Katsina State Police Command said it has apprehended over fifty suspects in connection with the destruction and looting of Government and public properties during the protest held in the state, movement of people and other items seem to have also been restricted in some vulnerable areas.
01:13 pm: Police authorities have arrested 392 suspected looters of NNC Park, Kano High Court, and other locations during Thursday’s #EndBadGovernance protest
01:02 pm: Security forces push protesters backward at Central Area, Abuja
12: 25 pm: Some popular Port Harcourt entertainers were spotted amongst the protesters. Police authorities in the state are also providing water and biscuits for the demonstrators.
11: 55 am: Security in the Kaduna metropolis remains fluid after yesterday’s protest and attack on the Government House.
The city centre, Barnawa, Sabon Tasha, and Gonin Gora in the southern part of the state capital remain calm and peaceful with few commercial and private vehicles seen moving along the major roads.
There is no real threat of any protest in those places presently, but roads look deserted with more pedestrians walking around and few bikes, and private vehicles.
11: 41 am: Protesters have reconvened at the Moshood Abiola Stadium after being dispersed by riot policemen at Berger roundabout in Abuja.
11:33 am: The protest is carnival-like in the Ring Road area of Benin City, Edo State.
11:23 am: Day two of the #EndBadGovernance protest continues in the Ojota area of Lagos State.
The state’s Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotosho addressed them, saying the government has heard their demands.
10:57 am: Nigerians Raise N1.8m For Protester Whose Son Dreams Of Becoming Programmer
Shops are gradually opening for their day-to-day sales. As of 10.20 am, no single protester was seen at the designated take-off points for the protest. The state government has yet to lift the curfew imposed on three local government areas.
10:23 am: The protesters are camped in front of the Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt. From a handful of people at about 8 am, they are now a sizable number of about a thousand people.
They’re singing, dancing, and chanting. Security agencies are keeping a watchful eye on them.
10:16 am: Police disperse protesters with tear gas at Berger roundabout in Abuja.
11:13 am: Ijaw Community calls on protesters to sheath sword
Members of the Ijaw community are asking organisers of the protest to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the overall interest of the nation
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the chairman of the community, Alagba Ebifemowei says President Bola Tinubu is not oblivious to the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
09:47 am: Protesters say they’re marching from Port Harcourt Pleasure Park down to the Federal Secretariat where they intend to hold a rally of sorts for today.
09:47 am: Protesters say they’re marching from Port Harcourt Pleasure Park down to the Federal Secretariat where they intend to hold a rally of sorts for today.
09: 47 am: Calm in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital
There are no protesters in sight at the Shendam Road where they converged yesterday. Vehicular movement and activities are picking up, unlike on Thursday.
There is a security presence around town. Security personnel have reinforced their presence around the Government House.
09:37 am: The streets of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital are busy and the markets are gradually opening. A visit to the popular Mile Six market shows the reopening of shops and markets around the vicinity.
09:23 am: Some parts of Abuja including the Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2 and Banex Junction are deserted.
09:09 am: In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, protesters have converged at the Pleasure Park.
But in some parts of the city, activities have resumed as against the situation on Thursday when the capital and its surrounding areas were deserted.
Motorists and traders who had avoided business on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protest have returned to their normal routines this morning, following the peaceful nature of the demonstration.
The attached video taken with my phone shows the usual hustle and bustle at the Rumuokoro Market in the Obio/Akpor metropolis.
08:25 am: Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has imposed a 24-hour curfew after violent demonstrations in some parts of the state.
