Hours after President Bola Tinubu called for a halt to protests and urged dialogue, Nigerians have insisted on shutting down the country on Monday, citing the president’s failure to address their concerns.
“I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protests and create room for dialogue, which I have always supported at the slightest opportunity,” Mr Tinubu said in a broadcast on Sunday.
However, Mr Tinubu did not address any of the issues raised by the protesters, which include the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal and tackling the food crisis, among others.
In Jos, Plateau state capital, protesters held a service at the protest ground on Sunday. Senior pastor of EBOMI Ministry, Isah El-Buba, presided over the service, where it was decided that protesters would take to the streets on Monday due to Mr Tinubu’s failure to address their concerns.
“The protest continues tomorrow at the Old Airport Roundabout, Jos,” Mr El-Buba said on X, refuting fake news that the protests have ended.
#OccupyAbuja trended on X on Sunday, as citizens vowed to hit the streets on Monday over Mr Tinubu’s failure to address their concerns.
@dilibeneng tweeted, “All protests in every other state should discontinue. All roads lead to Abuja—that’s where the main protest should hold. #OccupyAbuja.”
@Danielojiakor said, “Mother of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest” is set to commence on Monday, August 5, 2024, with the sub-slogan #OccupyAbuja.
Omoyele Sowore, an activist vocal about the protest, also announced that protests will continue in Akure, Ondo state, and Lagos.
“Akure is NOW ON BOARD!,” Mr Sowore tweeted, posting a flyer for the protest to be held at Nepa Roundabout on Monday in Akure, Ondo State.
Protesters in Lagos are reportedly planning to shut down Alausa on Monday. Despite hoodlums dispersing protesters in Lagos on Sunday, demonstrators vow to shut down the commercial city on Monday.
The Take It Back Movement, a group actively involved in the protests, said on X on Sunday, “Unite for change on Day 5 of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests across Lagos! Join the movement to end the failing system and build a brighter future for all. Locate your nearest protest site and be part of the change!”
The protests have lasted four days since they began on August 1. The number of citizens killed by Nigerian police during the nationwide protests over economic hardships is now over 23.
Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has raised the alarm over the Nigerian police’s reckless shooting from close range and killing of protesters. However, Nigerian police have denied killing protesters, despite footage showing them firing live rounds at protesters.
On Saturday, the third day of nationwide protests, Peoples Gazette reported that security operatives fired live bullets at cars conveying reporters, causing panic at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
