The organizers of the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests have rejected the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s proposal for confined protests in identified locations. Instead, they insist on holding street processions across the country.
At a virtual meeting with the IGP on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), one of the lawyers for the Take It Back Movement, rejected the proposal, stating that the organizers would proceed with street processions before converging at specific locations.
The planned protests, scheduled for August, aim to address economic hardship, inflation, and the government’s policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and unification of forex windows.
The organizers have identified various locations for the protests, including Eagle Square in Abuja, Alausa Park in Lagos, Akpakpava Lane in Benin City, School of Agric in Bauchi, Rosewale Filling Station in Ibadan, Maiduguri Roundabout in Damaturu, and Freedom Park in Osogbo.
IGP Egbetokun had suggested confined protests to prevent violence, citing the arrest of some individuals calling for violence during the protests.
However, Adegboruwa emphasized that the organizers are not destructive and would focus on peaceful protests. He also urged the police to focus on thugs and groups threatening violence.
The IGP agreed to provide security cover for protesters at confined locations but advised the organizers to contact police commissioners in their locations to request security cover for street processions.
Adegboruwa assured the IGP that the organizers would notify the police of their requests for security cover.
The planned protests have gained traction on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their frustration with the government’s handling of the economy.
Politicians have appealed to youths to shelve the planned rallies, but the organizers remain resolute.
