In an era where the term “bad governance” has become synonymous with the Nigerian government, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has advised organizers of the upcoming hardship protest to limit the demonstration to one to three days.
The #EndBadGovernance protest, rapidly gaining attention on social media, is scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10. Hours before the protest’s commencement, Adegboruwa adviced participants to maintain order and peace as they take to the streets in the locations already notified to the police.
In his statement, Adegboruwa, while applauding the bravery of the protesters, emphasized the need for constructive engagement with the government. He urged the organizers to form various teams to engage with government officials for immediate action on their demands.
What They Are saying
Adegboruwa didn’t play with words, highlighting the government’s panic since the announcement of the protests. “Even our forefathers in their graves have heard your voices loud and clear,” he remarked, noting the frantic reactions from the authorities. The Senior Advocate accused the government of attempting to derail the protest by sponsoring hooligans to incite violence, a tactic currently evident in parts of Lagos State.
He implored the protesters to remain peaceful and adhere to the planned locations. “Reduce the protest to one or three days and then give the government time to address your demands,” he suggested. Adegboruwa offered his support, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue for the nation’s peace and progress.
Adegboruwa also warned security forces against using violence, arbitrary arrests, or deploying the military. “The law recognizes the right to peaceful protests and mandates the police to protect unarmed civilians. Let no single bullet be fired, and let there be no unlawful arrests or military involvement,” he stated.
Adegboruwa advised President Bola Tinubu to reverse the harmful policies of oil subsidy removal and currency devaluation, which have crippled the economy and thrown Nigeria into its worst financial crisis. He also called for an end to the government’s extravagant spending, citing the President’s new jet purchase and the Vice-President’s N21 billion house renovation amidst widespread suffering.
“How do you expand your luxuries while preaching austerity to the people?” Adegboruwa questioned, demanding an end to all forms of bad governance, including the lavish spending on religious pilgrimages contrasted with the meager loans offered to students.
Bottom Line
Adegboruwa’s appeal is a clarion call for both the government and protesters to act responsibly. His message represents the need for peaceful protests, constructive dialogue, and immediate government action to address the pressing issues facing Nigerians.
