But the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, represented by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji, expressed disappointment in the fact that President Tinubu had to address the country after three days of protests.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s demand for a suspension of further protests, the organizers of the #EndBadgovernance protest on Monday resumed their nonviolent demonstration at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State.
In a Sunday broadcast, Tinubu had acknowledged the protestors’ concerns and asked them to give up on holding more demonstrations in favor of dialogue.
But the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, represented by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji, expressed disappointment in the fact that President Tinubu had to address the country after three days of protests.
“We view the President’s choice to speak to the nation as a significant win for our movement.
“Without our courage and resolve to dare the odds, even this acknowledgement would not have happened. So far, we have demonstrated that a President is not greater than the rest of the country,” the statement read.
The group criticised the President for what they described as “a dual approach: offering dialogue” while also demanding an end to the protests.
They also condemned recent violence against protesters, including attacks by thugs during a Sunday morning worship session and an incident where a protester was struck on live television.
“In our view, the president cannot be approbating and reprobating at the same time. The President cannot offer an olive branch while at the same time holding a dagger to our throat,” the trio stated.
They urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the media, and the Nigerian Bar Association to support their cause and not “stand idly by” as they face suppression.
The protesters on Monday, converged on Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in continuation of the protest, which was allegedly marred by hoodlums’ infiltration.
Some of the protesters accused government of planting moles and miscreants among them to unleash attack and divide the ranks.
“We would not be deterred by whatever means government may be deploying to silence us. See my lips, (pointing to his lips), I was attacked by miscreants in our midst this morning, but I remain undaunted. I know they were sponsored by government,” Tope Aloba lamented.
Taiwo, while addressing the crowd of protesters at Ojo, urged Nigerian youths and the general public to come out en-masse to join in the demonstration until the voices of masses are heard.
All is well in Lagos-Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State government had previously described the protest as relatively peaceful, but recent footage has shown clashes between protesters and hoodlums. Though, no casualty has been recorded so far in the state.
Also, some of the protesters earlier arrested during the protest in Lagos have been released.
The organizers have insisted that the demonstration reflects the deep-seated frustration of ordinary Nigerians and remained committed to their demands for governance reform.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday presided over the Executive Council Meeting as full government activities resumed in the state after four days of hunger protest across the country.
Sanwo-Olu had also commended organisers of the protest in Lagos for calling off the protest following the President’s broadcast.
While addressing journalists at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said “there is peace in Lagos State as workers have fully resumed work.
“All is well in Lagos. Lagos is peaceful and that is what Lagosians want. Mr Governor has resumed the business of the state. Everyone is at his desk and members of the public are coming in to do business with the government.
“Lagos is the commercial centre of Nigeria and Lagosians can not allow it to go into chaos. We want to thank those protesting that they did well and have done good service to Lagos. All Lagosians should open and go about their businesses without any fear. Lagosians have chosen to be peaceful and shun anarchy.”
Omotoso further said barely 24 hours after three phone hotline numbers were released by the state government for people to call in, the state has received thousands of calls from concerned individuals and groups wanting to dialogue with the government.