Organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, yesterday, decried the abandonment of their demands by the federal and state governments after the suspension of the nationwide demonstration against hunger and bad governance.

They accused President Bola Tinubu and the governors of worsening the woes of the Nigerian populace within the few weeks they called off the nationwide protest.

Coordinator of the group, Ajala Adetunji, during a media briefing in Osogbo, Osun State capital, threatened that the nationwide protest would resume on October 1, 2024, if governments fail to act on their demands and ameliorate the suffering of the masses.

He said: “Our demands are clear. Asides from the removal of tax on food items which we hope will ameliorate hunger and poverty, it is expected that other indicators to end hunger and inflation would be worked on by the Federal Government.

“In Osun State, we made the difficult decision to suspend the protest, believing that the government at both state and federal levels deserved the benefit of doubt. We hoped that by stepping back, we could create space for meaningful dialogue, a chance to work together to find the best solutions to ease the burdens on our people. However, it is with great disappointment that nothing considerable has been done.

“Instead of the relief we sought, the situation has grown increasingly. The ongoing fuel scarcity has crippled daily life, driving up the cost of living to unbearable levels. And now, in a move that can only be described as a gross misjudgment, the government has banned students under 18 years old from writing WAEC and NECO examinations.”

“This decision not only misplaces priorities but also denies our youths the basic right to education and a future.” He added: “As if these hardships were not enough, we learned with shock and disbelief that the Federal Government purchased a private aircraft for the Presidency, an extravagant expense that comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet. This blatant disregard for the procurement process, coupled with the government’s indifference to the suffering of the masses, speaks volume about the current administration’s priorities.

“Our patience is not infinite. We have been reasonable, we have been patient, but we will not be ignored. If the government continues to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the people, they should brace themselves for the mother of all protests on October 1, as the citizens will not continue to fold their hands on continuous increase of food and basic needs without a corresponding measures to curb the unfortunate inflation.”