As the #EndBadGovernance protests rage on for the second day, human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has made an unexpected plea, he wants the youth to stop their demonstrations and open a dialogue with the government. Adegboruwa, in a statement on Friday, acknowledged that while the protests aimed for peaceful and coordinated action, they’ve been derailed by “fifth columnists and angry persons” infiltrating the ranks.
What They Are saying
Adegboruwa implored, “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw and suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely to allow for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government. The protests, allegedly hijacked by sponsored agents, must stop to prevent further casualties and losses.”
Despite his call for calm, Adegboruwa, a lawyer to the Take It Back Movement, one of the protest organizers, expressed deep regret over the deaths and losses during the demonstrations, stressing that such outcomes were never the goal. He extended his condolences to the families of both protesters and security personnel affected by the chaos.
Interestingly, Adegboruwa had already suggested reducing the planned 10-day action to just one day before the protests even began.
He adviced President Bola Tinubu to directly address the nation and engage with protesters through their representatives. He also recommended forming a committee of credible individuals to meet with the protesters and address their concerns.
Why It Matters
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Nigeria witnessed increased tension as the #EndBadGovernance protests erupted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Police responded with tear gas to disperse the mainly youthful demonstrators, actions that civil society organizations (CSOs) have condemned.
The situation further deteriorated when hoodlums hijacked the protests, leading to looting of both public and private properties. In response, state governments in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Nasarawa, Jigawa, and others imposed curfews in volatile areas to curb the violence and its aftermath.
Tragically, Amnesty International reports some deaths, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun confirmed a policeman’s murder, injuries to several officers, and the burning of police stations.
The protests, driven by social media, commenced on August 1, 2024, and are set to continue until August 10. They are fueled by soaring food prices and an economic crisis triggered by the government’s petrol subsidy removal and forex unification policies.
Protesters are demanding the restoration of petrol subsidies, a return to the previous forex regime, and immediate actions on food shortages, unemployment, and government waste. They also call for comprehensive reforms of the electoral body INEC and the anti-graft agency EFCC, alongside a renewed commitment to fighting corruption.
Bottom Line
Adegboruwa’s call for a truce and dialogue highlights a big issue . Will the government heed his advice and address the root causes of the unrest, or will the protests continue to spiral, leading to more chaos and suffering?
