EndBadGovernance: Nigerians Begin Hardship Protests Across, Despite Government’s Warnings
Despite the government’s last-minute efforts to prevent the demonstration, Nigerians poured into the streets in major cities across the nation to protest against economic hardship. The protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, were held in response to the country’s worsening economic situation, including a 34% inflation rate, fuel subsidy removal, and forex regime.
Protesters demanded the restoration of petrol subsidies, addressing food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power. They also called for immediate reforms of the electoral umpire, INEC, and the anti-graft agency, EFCC, with renewed vigor in the fight against corrupt politicians.
The protests were held in various cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt, among others. In some cities, security agencies attempted to disperse protesters with teargas, while in others, counter-protesters emerged.
The government had warned that the protests could be hijacked by criminals, but the protesters remained undeterred.
The Take It Back Movement, one of the organizers of the protest, said it was not going back on the rallies.
The protests were largely peaceful, with some instances of violence reported. In Abuja, police dispersed protesters with teargas at the National Assembly junction. In Bauchi State, police fired tear gas at demonstrators, while in Gombe State, a sudden violent protest erupted at the Government House premises.
The government’s response to the protests remains unclear, but the demonstrations highlight the growing discontent among Nigerians over the country’s economic situation.
Protests reported in major cities across the country, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Gombe, Maiduguri, Yobe, and Taraba.
Other cities where the #EndBadGovernance protests are ongoing include Ilorin, Lafia, Jos, Calabar, Umuahia, Owerri, Sokoto, among others.
Demands Of The Protesters
The protesters and demanding the, restoration of petrol subsidies, addressing food shortages, reduction in unemployment rate, end of wasteful spending by those in power, immediate reforms of INEC and EFCC, renewed vigor in the fight against corrupt politicians, among others.
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