EndBadGovernance: Organisers plan massive march on the last day

The Take It Back Movement, a leading force behind the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests, announced it is preparing for a massive grand finale of the nationwide demonstrations against economic hardships under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Since the protests began on August 1, they have disrupted commercial and business activities across major cities and towns, as citizens take to the streets demanding urgent government action to address the food crisis and reverse the fuel subsidy removal policy.

“The Take It Back Movement (TIB), side-by-side with other organisers and organisations, will, on August 10, lead a monumental one-million-man protest in each of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,” said Sanyaolu Juwon, TIB national coordinator, in a statement on Thursday.

He added, “This event will mark a critical juncture in our nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which began on August 1, 2024. It started as a planned 10-day protest but has evolved into a sustained and widespread movement, drawing participants from every corner of Nigeria and the diaspora.”

Insisting on their demands, the group called for justice for protesters killed by Nigerian security operatives during the nationwide protest.

“We charge the Police Service Commission to hold accountable any officer involved in the assault, brutality, shooting, killing, or any other form of violence against unarmed protesters. The use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters, reminiscent of the tragic events of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, must not be repeated. Such actions are unacceptable and must be met with appropriate sanctions,” Mr Juwon said.

Since the protests began on August 1, over 23 people have been killed by Nigerian security forces, according to Amnesty International.

The human rights organization also condemned the Nigerian police for using live bullets against protesters. However, the police have denied any killings during the protests, despite video evidence showing them opening fire on demonstrators.

Last Saturday, Peoples Gazette reported that security operatives fired live bullets at cars carrying reporters, sparking panic at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka criticized President Tinubu’s Sunday address for failing to address the use of lethal force by police and SSS agents in quelling the #EndHunger demonstrations.