The ‘End Hunger‘ protest organizers in Lagos have announced they will gather again at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, on Monday to continue their demonstration. This information was conveyed in a Sunday statement by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organizing Committee at the same park.
They listened attentively to President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday address, deeming it unfortunate that it took three days of protests for the president to respond. In his national broadcast, Tinubu expressed his administration’s readiness to listen to and address the protesters’ concerns, affirming he had heard their messages “loud and clear.”
“I call on protesters and organizers to pause further demonstrations and make room for dialogue, which I have always supported whenever possible,” Tinubu said.
The organizers viewed the president’s speech as a significant victory for their movement. “Our courage and determination forced this acknowledgment. We’ve shown that the president is not above the people,” their statement noted.
Despite appreciating Tinubu’s call for dialogue, they were troubled by his simultaneous order to halt protests. “The president can’t offer peace while threatening us,” they remarked.
They condemned the attacks on protesters by thugs during Sunday worship, which left many injured. “We urge all Nigerian youth and the public to join us at 7 am at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, on Monday, August 5, 2024, for the fifth day of the protest,” the statement read.
Although the state government had labeled the protest peaceful, Channels TV footage showed hoodlums attacking protesters at Ojota after the President’s address. Another viral video showed a protester being assaulted during a live interview.
The organizers called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, the media, and the Nigerian Bar Association to actively support the protests rather than watching passively. “The #EndBadGovernance protest arose from the suffering and frustration of ordinary Nigerian citizens,” they concluded.
