THE #EndBadGovernance protesters today gathered at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota to continue their demonstration, undeterred by President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast.
Their resolve to persist with the protest stems from a statement issued yesterday by the organizers, signed by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, which indicated that President Tinubu’s address did not meet their demands.
The organizers expressed disappointment, stating they had listened intently to the President’s broadcast and found it “rather unfortunate” that it took three days of protests for him to address the nation.
In his broadcast yesterday, Tinubu affirmed his administration’s willingness to listen to and respond to the concerns of the protesters, emphasizing that he had heard their calls “loud and clear.”
He urged the protesters and their organizers to suspend further demonstrations and open the door for dialogue, which he said he had always been willing to facilitate.
The organizers viewed the President’s decision to address the nation as an “important victory for our movement.” They stated
“Without our courage and resolve to challenge the odds, even this acknowledgment would not have occurred. We have shown that a President is not greater than the people.”
While they acknowledged Tinubu’s offer for dialogue, they expressed concern over his simultaneous call for the protests to cease.
“In our view, the president cannot be both supportive and dismissive at the same time. He cannot extend an olive branch while simultaneously holding a dagger to our throats,” the trio remarked.
The statement also condemned the incidents where thugs attacked protesters gathered for yesterday morning worship, resulting in numerous injuries.
They concluded by urging all Nigerian youth and the general public to join them at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, at 7 am today, August 5, 2024, marking Day 5 of the protest.
The Lagos protest had been deemed peaceful by the state government; however, a video captured yesterday showed protesters being chased by hoodlums shortly after the President’s address.
