#EndBadGovernance protesters to March to Alausa on Monday

The#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters will converge at the Alausa Government House, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday to continue their agitation.

The protesters said that both the state government and the federal government have been quiet on their demands and that President Bola Tinubu should meet the demands of the people.

For three days, the protesters had gathered at the Ojota area of Lagos to protest the high cost of living, bad governance, corruption, unemployment, and other issues.

While the protest has been violent in Kano and Abuja, it has been peaceful in Ojota despite threats by hoodlums who harassed the protesters on August 1, 2024, and August 2, 2024, asking them to stop the protest. The third day of the 10-day protest witnessed more presence of youths, police officers, and soldiers.

When asked about the resolution to take the protest to the government house in Lagos, Barrister JP said: “We want to go to the government house to tell the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that we are suffering and we don’t want to suffer anymore. The President is yet to address Nigerians because they know we are gullible.

“Nigerians are so gullible that nobody wants to talk, they don’t want to die. Nigerians are bathing imbeciles in the UK to earn a living, degree holders are sweeping the streets of the UK, and we have a country blessed with oil and other mineral resources but we are suffering. No food, people can’t eat well.

READ ALSO: Protest: Tinubu commiserates with victims’ families, urges end to violence

“They asked us to tighten up our belts but they are spending lavishly. Does it mean Professor Yemi Osinbajo was an animal and Kashim Shettima a human? Why would they allocate N21 billion to renovate the same Vice President’s residence that was used by Osinbajo?”

When The Guardian spoke with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke, he said he had not been informed by the protesters about the development.

Disagreeing on the call for the President to speak to Nigerians, Southwest Zone Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, Olukayode Opayemi, said the President had appointed a minister who should speak on his behalf and that it’s not the right time for the President to speak.

“We are all affected by the economic situation and I believe that President Bola Tinubu is doing everything to ensure that the economy improves, but it cannot be a carrot-and-stick approach.

“The removal of the subsidy has brought about an increase in allocations to states, and local council areas have improved, and everyone can testify to it. The students are now enjoying the student loan which many of us did not have the opportunity to enjoy. I believe there will be other initiatives.”

Speaking on his observation of the protest, he said: “I appreciate Lagosians that there has been no reason for violence and people in Maryland, Ojota, and environs. But as much as protest is a fundamental human right, I do not agree with impeding on other people’s rights. The protesters should not forget that there is a right to movement.”

Speaking, Comrade Aghedo Stephen said: “There will be a meeting to determine whether to move to Alausa or not but I don’t think that is part of the plan. If the President refuses to address the demands, we will sit and strategize on what to do next.”