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.
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.
Channels Television is on the ground across states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and brings you the latest developments about the #EndBadGovernance protest.
07: 58: Wike further disclosed that security operatives have unraveled a sponsor of the protests, whom he alleged to be a federal lawmaker.
He says security operatives will invite the suspect for questioning very soon.
07: 44pm: Wike asks protesters to confine themselves to MKO Abiola Stadium
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned protesters in the nation’s capital to obey the court order restricing them to the MKO Abiola Stadium.
06: 44 pm: Benue’s Alia Thanks Residents For Shunning Protests
Hyacinth Alia sends his warm appreciation to the people of Benue, for heeding his words not to join the nationwide protest.
The governor particularly praises the organised labour, trade unions, civil society organisations, the youth, and other groups in the state for keeping to their word not to participate in the protest.
06: 25 pm: APC secretariat set ablaze in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
05: 57 pm: [Nationwide Protests] Curfew imposed in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State
A 6 pm to 6 am curfew has been imposed in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state indefinitely.
The chairman of Karu James Thomas imposed the curfew to restore calm after the protest turned violent in the area resulting in destruction, looting, stealing, highway blockade, and vandalism in the Mararraba area, the border between the State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
05:56 pm: Police Arrest Eleven In Niger State, Tafa LGA Secretariat Partly Burnt, Other Valuables Damaged
Following the nationwide protest which commence today 1st August, some miscreants in the Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State have set ablaze some parts of the LGA located in Sabon Wuse.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television through a telephone interview, the commissioner of Police, Niger State Command Shawulu Danmamman said the criminals who had vandalised and
Command Shawulu Danmamman said the criminals who had vandalised and looted some properties belonging to the local government were arrested along Abuja-Kaduna road.
The Commissioner of Police, who was in the local government to see firsthand hand the extent of damage, said the police will not watch hoodlums disrupt the peace and stability of the generality of the people in the name of protest.
05:43 pm: [Protests] Cops Tear-Gassed Hoodlums, Won’t Allow Anarchy – Police.
5: 27 pm: Obaseki Meets With Protesters
The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, addressed protesters within the Benin metropolis in the wake of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests by citizens to express displeasure over the difficult living conditions, arising from various policies that the Federal Government has implemented.
Obaseki who empathised with the protesters at Ring Road, Benin City, the Edo State capital, said he was aware of the pains and sufferings faced by the Edo people and all Nigerians, promising to convey their demands to President Bola Tinubu.
05:22 pm: The police in Nasarawa State have dispersed protesters in Lafia, the state capital.
This is to prevent further breakdown of law and order after some of them began burning tires and destroying vehicles.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Lafia was also attacked before the security personnel chased them.
05:01: Adegboruwa commends protesters, says rallies continue
A human rights lawyer and one of the representatives of the protest organisers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has hailed the protesters for their peaceful disposition, calling on them to return on Friday.
04: 53 pm: Protesters gathered at the Old Airport roundabout in Jos, Plateau State in continuation of the rallies. As the time for afternoon prayers approached, the Muslim faithful converged to offer the Zuhr prayers. As a mark of solidarity and unity of purpose for the protest, the Christian brethren offered security and cover for them while the prayers lasted and thereafter resumed the procession.
04: 32: Fifty-three suspects have been arrested in Bauchi State capital for alleged unlawful assembly and breach of public peace.
04: 23 pm: Protests have turned violent in Hadejia, Jigawa State. In Dutse, the state capital, the protesters who marched to the Government House were dispersed.
04:20 pm: Kano Govt Declares Curfew After Looting Of Park
The newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano has been looted by hoodlums amidst a wave of nationwide protests against economic hardship. The ICT centre, scheduled for commissioning next week, was also set ablaze during the unrest.
In response to the escalating violence, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared a 24-hour curfew across the state.
“We are deeply concerned by the turn of events and are taking all necessary measures to restore order. I urge all residents to remain indoors as security agencies work to enforce the curfew,” he stated.
04:16 pm: Ebonyi Government Commends the Youths for Shunning Protest
The Ebonyi state government has commended the youths for their decision to listen to the advice of the state leaders at all levels and refuse to be lured into the nationwide protest.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state commissioner for Information and orientation Jude Okpor and made available to Channels Television.
According to Okpor, the government expresses thanks to the youths for their patriotic stance, stressing that the government views the youths’ decision as a strong support for Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration.
03: 58 pm: The protesters here in Ojota, Lagos State have rounded off for the day. They say they’ll reconvene on Friday morning.
03:43 pm: Yobe Govt. imposes curfew.
Source: Channels TV
