A small group of #EndBadGovernance protesters gathered at Gani Fawehinmi Park on Sunday morning, chanting solidarity songs shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation.
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the President had not adequately addressed the core issues they had raised, despite mentioning some efforts by his administration. Security personnel, including policemen, were present at the park to maintain order.
The police restricted the protesters from holding a procession beyond the designated area at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota. The protesters complied without resistance and returned to the designated point.
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There are currently more policemen than protesters in the Ojota area of Lagos.
Earlier on Sunday, Tinubu, in a broadcast, urged the youth to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protests and opt for dialogue. He reassured them that his administration is committed to good governance despite the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
He explained that the removal of the petrol subsidy was a difficult but necessary decision for economic reforms.
The reinstatement of the petrol subsidy has been a clear demand of the young Nigerians protesting since Thursday against the economic hardships in the country. Tinubu, who had served as the Governor of Lagos, announced the removal of the subsidy during his inaugural speech as President on May 29, 2023. This led to the price per litre of petrol soaring from around N184 to over N700, depending on the location.
Simultaneously, the government unified forex windows, causing the value of the naira to plummet from $1/N700 to over $1/N1600 in the parallel market. As a result, the prices of food and basic commodities skyrocketed, exacerbating inflation and worsening the economic situation for many Nigerians.
