Despite President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address, the #EndBadGovernance protesters have gathered again at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota on Monday, 5th of August. The protestors remain steadfast in their demonstration, having announced on Sunday that the President’s broadcast had not adequately addressed their demands.
The announcement from the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, signed by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji, expressed disappointment with the President’s delayed response, stating it took three days of protest for him to address the nation. In his Sunday address, Tinubu acknowledged the protesters’ concerns, urging them to halt further protests and embrace dialogue.
The organisers considered the President’s address a “significant victory” for their movement, attributing it to their persistent efforts. However, they criticized Tinubu’s simultaneous call for the suspension of the protests, perceiving it as contradictory.
The organisers also condemned the attacks on protesters by thugs during a Sunday morning gathering, resulting in injuries to several participants. They urged Nigerian youth and the general public to join the protest at Gani Fawehinmi Park on Monday, marking the fifth day of their demonstration.
While the Lagos state government had previously regarded the protest as peaceful, a Channels TV video on Sunday showed hoodlums chasing protesters at Ojota shortly after the President’s address. On Monday morning ,security forces reportedly fired teargas at protesters at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, despite Tinubu’s appeal for the protests to cease.
