Protests against bad governance in Nigeria continue to gain momentum, with demonstrators planning to converge on Abuja. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s plea for calm, the protests, which began on August 1, show no signs of slowing down.
Protesters Determined to Occupy Abuja
Following President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address urging an end to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, demonstrators have vowed to intensify their actions. The movement, which began on August 1, has now set its sights on the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Protesters, rallying under the hashtag #OccupyAbuja on X.com, expressed their determination to make a significant impact. One user, Stephen Osemwegie, tweeting as #PeterObiUSA, called on Nigerians from all walks of life to join the protests in Abuja. “What Next? #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria. All roads lead to Abuja. Nigerians, wake up now. Every state, region, religion, and people. Stand up for your country now or never,” he tweeted.
Pro-democracy activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore encouraged participation in the protests, challenging Senator Ireti Kingigbe to lead the charge. In response to the senator, Sowore tweeted, “You have a chance to lead the #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria protest to the Eagle Square tomorrow. If your current health situation allows you to collect an SUV and all those jumbo allowances at the #NGRSenate, a trip to the protest ground would not kill you, Senator!”
Another protester, Morior Invictus, tweeting as #PeterObIsComing, emphasized the need for a larger turnout in Abuja. “Abuja protesters are doing their best but the number needs to quadruple for Tinubu and Wike to understand how angry Nigerians are. 100,000 people can #OccupyAbuja and shut it down. But many are still scared to join the protest. We must #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria,” he urged.
Nationwide Protests and Government Response
The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have spread across the country, with demonstrators airing grievances over issues like the removal of the fuel subsidy, high food prices, inadequate security, and rising electricity tariffs. The protests have been marked by significant public discontent and demands for governmental reforms.
In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested a protest leader in Abuja, adding to the tension. Meanwhile, in Lagos, organizers announced the resumption of protests on Monday, demonstrating the widespread and persistent nature of the movement.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State criticized the federal government for the hardships faced by Nigerians, highlighting the impact of poor governance on the populace. Protests in various regions have seen citizens from different backgrounds coming together to demand change.
Calls for Unity and Increased Participation
The call for unity and greater participation is echoed by several social media users. Chulo, tweeting as #felixbuezecyrus, emphasized the importance of a strong presence in the capital city. “As protesters from anywhere around the country, it’s important that we all head to Abuja because any protests that didn’t hold strong in the capital city of a country hold no water,” he tweeted.
Unity, tweeting as #Unityforum1, summarized the sentiment of many protesters following the president’s speech. “Summary of the president’s speech: I have heard you. I’m busy working. Go back home. Subsidy is forever gone (Forget it). Continue to endure the hardship/hunger. Your protest is politically motivated. Thank you for listening. Congratulations, Nigeria #OccupyAbuja.”
As the movement continues to gather steam, protesters are calling for more people to join them in the nation’s capital. Oladeyforyou, tweeting as #trendwithola, wrote, “Tomorrow is Monday. It is time to #OccupyAbuja if we want to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
With the protests showing no signs of abating, the government faces increasing pressure to address the concerns of its citizens and implement meaningful reforms.
Source: Punch
