•Protesters
Nigerians have poured into the streets in major cities across the nation to protest against economic hardship despite the government’s last-minute push to prevent the demonstration.
Inflation has reached 34 per cent owing majorly to the twin policies of subsidy removal and floating of the naira. That has pushed the cost of basic items beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians, reports Channels TV.
Talks about the demonstration tagged #EndBadGovernance protest had gained momentum on social media, leading discussions among young Nigerians on digital platforms.
Authorities across the country had in the wake of calls for the protest rallied around to halt it. They warned that they might be hijacked by criminals. While they admitted to the challenges facing the nation, they urged the organisers to shelve the protest and give the government more time to address the issues raised.
But undeterred, the Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the protest said it was not going back on the rallies.
Some of the demands of the protesters include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power. Other are immediate reforms of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.
The Frontier brings you the latest developments about the #EndBadGovernance protest.
09:47 am: Protesters say they’re marching from Port Harcourt Pleasure Park down to the Federal Secretariat where they intend to hold a rally of sorts for today. They confirmed to me that they intend to block that section of the road and that commuters should look for alternative routes to ply.
09: 47 am: Calm in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital
There are no protesters in sight at the Shendam Road where they converged yesterday. Vehicular movement and activities are picking up, unlike yesterday.
There is a security presence around town. Security personnel have reinforced their presence around the Government House.
09:37 am: The streets of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital are busy and the markets are gradually opening. A visit to the popular Mile Six market shows the reopening of shops and markets around the vicinity.
09:23 am: Some parts of Abuja including the Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2 and Banex Junction are deserted.
09:09 am: In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, protesters have converged at the Pleasure Park.
But in some parts of the city, activities have resumed as against the situation on Thursday when the capital and its surrounding areas were deserted.
Motorists and traders who had avoided business on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protest have returned to their normal routines this morning, following the peaceful nature of the demonstration.
08:25 am: Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has imposed a 24-hour curfew after violent demonstrations in some parts of the state.
8:00 am: In Lagos State, protesters are beginning to gather at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Part at Ojota. There is heavy presence of security operatives. Watch the attached video for situation report.
07:45 am: Security operatives barricade the road leading to the Kaduna Government. Police authorities in the state are also warning miscreants against unlawful action.
7:30 am: There are no protesters at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. No security personnel is also on the ground.
