The Nigerian government, in anticipation of a major one-million-man march organized by the #EndBadGovernance movement, has deployed large numbers of police and security personnel to key cities across the country.
The march, which is set to culminate today, has been at the center of nationwide protests that began on August 1, 2024, with demonstrators voicing their discontent over a range of issues including the recent removal of fuel subsidies and demands for a higher minimum wage.
The protests, which initially spread rapidly across the nation, have seen varying levels of participation. While momentum has waned in certain regions, it remains strong in states like Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, and Bauchi.
Organizers of the protests have threatened to shut down the entire country if their demands are not met, citing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s recent address, which they found unconvincing.
Security forces have been particularly visible in areas identified as potential hotspots for the march. In Lagos, law enforcement has been stationed at strategic locations such as Ojota, Ketu, and Obalende, where demonstrations are expected to occur.
Similarly, in Kano and Rivers states, security personnel have taken over major roads and public spaces to prevent any potential unrest.
The Take It Back Movement, one of the leading groups behind the protests, has emphasized that today’s march will be a crucial moment in their campaign against bad governance in Nigeria.
Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the movement, highlighted the significance of this protest, stating that it marks “a critical juncture in our nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign.”
