The long-awaited #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria has kicked off in several cities across the country.
The protest will hold from August 1st to 10th.
Business activities were grounded in some parts of the country on Thursday, while roads were also deserted as protesters defy last-minute push by authorities to stop the demonstrations.
In Abuja, protesters gathered early at the approved Moshood Abiola National Stadium before moving to the Eagle Square.
In a bid to stop the protesters from advancing to the Eagle Square, the Police fired tear gas to disperse them.
There were also counter-protesters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
One of the organisers of the protest in the FCT, Comrade Deji Adeyanju insisted that the protesters will not be intimidated by security operatives.
He told newsmen at the MKO Abiola Stadium that the protesters will be peaceful and desist from acts of violence.
He however cautioned security operatives to refrain on infringing on the rights of the protesters and should rather provide them adequate security.
In Lagos, Protesters gathered at Ikeja Underbridge but later marched to the court approved location at Ojota for further rallies.
The large crowd of protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi park, carried placards with various inscriptions.
The police was on ground to prevent miscreants from hijacking the protests.
Protesters also had a short gathering around the Lekki Toll gate to demand good governanance in the country.
You need to know that the toll gate in Lekki is not part of the two designated locations directed by the court in Lagos.
Some of the protesters told newsmen that they decided to demonstrate at the toll gate because of the distance of their homes to the confined locations in the state.
They insisted that it was their right to protest as Nigerians and won’t allow a court order to invalidate their rights.
#EndBadGovernance protest in Kano turns violent
It was a different story in Kano as the protest turned violent in the state.
Most of the busy roads in the city were empty with less vehicular movement and there were no tricycles for commercial operations.
Protesters looted the yet-to-be-commissioned Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park while a part of the premises was set on fire.
There were also reports of Kano protesters going on a looting spree to steal furniture, mattresses, bags of rice, and other reported items emerged.
Thirteen persons have been arrested in connection to various cases of vandalism in the state while a 24 hour curfew has been declared.
While the hunger protests were ongoing, other set of anti-protest demonstrator surfaced around the Tarauni local government area of the state, carrying placards with various inscriptions in support of the government.
Bomb blast in Borno kills 16 persons
In Borno, there is also a 24-hour curfew in all 27 Local Government Areas of the State.
In a statement, the police said the curfew was declared following an explosion in Kawori area of the state that led to the death of 16 persons.
The statement added that the police had held consultations with the State Governor Babagana Zulum and other critical stakeholders before arriving at the decision.
In Anambra state, economic activities and government operations were grounded as many businesses were completely shut down.
There was no single protester in sight.
There were only a few police personnel who were seen at strategic places monitoring the development.
Some residents said the successful grounding of activities in the state through sit-at-home, was enough protest.
There was an appreciable turnout of protesters in Asaba the capital city of delta state.
Commercial centres, including banks and markets, were closed during the peaceful protests which began about 11:00 am.
The Protesters with placards bearing inscriptions such as #EndBadGovernment and “Hardship Everywhere” gathered at the popular Interbus Roundabout amid a heavy presence of security agencies.
They matched through the streets of Nnebisi and anwai Roads but they were stopped from gaining access to government house by security men.
Not satisfied with the development, they returned to their base at interbus roundabout where they were addressed by the police.
POLICE IG reacts
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun says the ongoing nationwide protest is a deliberate attempt to create mayhem in the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the IGP said the mayhem was targeted on the polity, innocent citizens, markets, stores, private and public properties, as well as critical infrastructure of government.
According to him, the name given to the movement behind the protest, “TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT” has far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.
He gave the assurance that the police will use all constitutional means in curtailing any violence that might result from the protest.
Source: Swifteradio.com
