Hardship: One million-man march flops with low turn-out – Report

The one million-man march planned by leaders of the #EndBadGovernance protest flopped on Saturday across the country due to low turnout.

In different parts of Nigeria, protesters shunned their usual meeting points, which had been occupied by security agents.

Organisers of the protest had said the march would signal the end of the 10-day protest against economic hardship.

In preparation for the march, security agencies deployed operatives into cities as roadblocks were mounted.

Low turnout in Abuja

The security situation was the same on Saturday as the police mounted barricades on all roads leading to Eagle Square, the venue where the protesters intended to converge for the protest.

Although protests were held in the Lokogoma and Apo areas of the FCT, the turnout was noticeably lower compared to previous events.

The protest waned in the FCT after security forces targeted leaders, arresting and shooting at protesters.

After there was calm, protesters returned to the streets.

The youth, who began their demonstration as early as 7 am were chrousing ‘End hunger’ and ‘Reverse fuel subsidy removal,” among others.

Rivers police patrol

In Rivers, protesters were absent on the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs.

It was the third day in a roll that residents refused to come out over fear that the demonstration would be hijacked by hoodlums.

This came as operatives of the Rivers State Police Command embarked on a show of force with huge presence in strategic parts of the state.

The state spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Friday night, had said some miscreants were planning to hijack the one million-man march to loot and attack peaceful residents.

One of our correspondents, who monitored the state on Saturday, reported that cops were seen in patrol vans as security was intensified.

Police patrol vans were also mounted at the gate of the Federal Secretariat, while several operatives hung around in vigilance in the event of any untoward incident.

When contacted, one of the supporters of the protest, Gogo Wellington, said he did not show up due to fear of violence.

He recalled with bitterness how some persons tried to attack some protesters.

“For that reason, we decided not to come out to avoid any clash.

“We hope that the government will be up and doing and immediately address the problems,” he added.

Kaduna, Kano, Katsina stop protest 

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that residents of Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States shunned the one-million-man nationwide protest.

NAN added that hordes of people were seen going about their business activities.

Markets, motor parks, supermarkets and other economic activities were going on unfettered.

Commercial motorists and motorcyclists were also busy conveying passengers to and from their various destinations.

The Kaduna State Government insisted that unverified processions were not permitted in the state for reasons of public safety and security.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, gave the warning in a statement on Saturday.

In Kano, some of the residents of Kano metropolitan local government areas said they would not participate again in any form of protests in the state.

The police and military personnel were also deployed in strategic locations in the state.

In Katsina, protest organisers complied with the order issued by the police and the state government that banned all forms of protests and unlawful assembly.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said the order was still in force across the state.

He said the measure was aimed at preventing further escalation of violence, vandalism, and looting of private and public property.

Edo residents shun demonstrations

The Civil Society Organisations, organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Edo State, could not gather people for a rally on the final day of the protest.

The group, which had chosen Ring Road as its protest venue, withdrew from the protest on the third day, stating that they would review their strategy.

The state capital, Benin, was peaceful on Saturday, with residents going about their business unhindered.

Oba Market and Lagos Street, the major commercial hubs, experienced a surge of activity as people conducted their transactions.

Similarly, Uromi in Edo Central and Auchi in Edo North were also peaceful, with no protests taking place in those areas.

Kola Edokpayi, speaking on behalf of the Concerned Civil Society Group in Edo, confirmed that there were no plans to resume the strike on Saturday.

 Plateau protesters meet gov

Meanwhile, a coalition of youths in Plateau State presented its demands to the state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Saturday, for transmission to President Bola Tinubu.

A representative of the group, Mr Sam Ode, stated that the demands required the input of both the state government and the Federal Government.

“For the state government, we demand an immediate reduction in the cost of governance. We also request an explanation of how the various palliatives and funding from the Federal Government are being utilised.

“We further call on the state government to implement the minimum wage recently signed into law by the president and to reduce the school fees of tertiary institutions.

“For the Federal Government, we urge the president to end corruption, reverse the pump price of fuel to N300, and also reverse the hike in electricity tariffs,” Ode said.

Ondo gov candidate arrested

Meanwhile, men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than nine youths who took part in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Saturday.

It was gathered that the protest, which happened at the NEPA Roundabout area in Akure, the state capital, was disrupted by men of the state police command.

According to one of the protesters, Tope Temokun, some of those arrested are the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, Kunle Ajayi; Patrick Owolabi, Oluwatobi Akinkuotu, Kolawole Kumuyi and Olalekan Oladehinde.

He said, “The arrest that took place is highly condemnable and stands condemned. If the police has any evidence of violence from the protesters, it should come out with it.

Group threatens to continue protest

But a group, Nigerian Patriotic Front Movement, Northern chapter, threatened to begin an indefinite protest after the curfew in the state is lifted.

The Secretary of the NPFM, Anas Adamu, said the group would resume the protest because the President, Bola Tinubu, failed to address their demands 10 days after the commencement of the nationwide protest.

He said, “We are all aware that Nigeria is facing a major governance and economic crisis, which the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, in 15 months, exacerbated.”

Protesters consider suing FG

The Director of Mobilisation, Take it Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, said the group would reconvene to review its strategies.

He said, “It’s indeed concerning that the government hasn’t implemented any of the organisers’ demands yet. After today, we need to regroup and reassess our strategy. Here are a few possible next steps: Continue to build momentum through online campaigns and social media engagement. Organise targeted advocacy efforts, meeting with key stakeholders and policymakers.”

Adenola said the group would also be considering lawsuits or petitions to demand the needed reforms.

One of the organisers, Juwon Sanyaolu, said he was certain there would be another round of protests.

He said, “We will go back to our internal organs, consult with Nigerians, and other organisers on the next step of actions. But one thing is certain: we will be returning to the streets, and very soon.”

On his part, the Initiator of Creative Change Centre, Omole Ibukun, stated that his group would step up its awareness, mobilisation, and collective actions through other means and prepare for another round of protests should the government refuse their demands.

 ‘Release all detainees’

he Osun State Civil Societies Coalition said another round of protests was coming if the Federal Government did not reverse the removal of subsidy on petrol and electricity.

The coalition, which is an umbrella body of 30 organisations in the state, also called for the release of all protesters arrested and detained by the security operatives.

The chairman of the OCSC, Waheed Lawal, said broader and well-organised protests would be held if the President didn’t return subsidy and ensure the release of these detained protesters.

 Youths seek justice

A group of youths under the aegis of the Take It Back Movement, on Saturday, held a protest march in Osogbo, Osun State, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of some protesters.

The group assembled at Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, as security operatives took over Freedom Park, earlier planned to be the convergence point.

After moving to Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, the protesters, armed with a large banner with the inscription, ‘End bad governance in Nigeria,’ were addressed by their spokesperson, Victor Lijofi.

They later moved through Fagbewesa Street and returned to their take-off point before dispersing.

But despite the presence of the protesters in the area, there was a free flow of traffic and business activities went on unhindered.

The Punch