The Lagos State Government, in a move to manage the upcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, has secured a court order restricting demonstrations to three specific locations in the state.
The order also limits the protest hours from 8 AM to 6 PM daily. The decision, made by Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, has sparked reactions from various quarters.
Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore, who disclosed the court order via his verified X page, criticized the restrictions. Sowore, a former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), stated, “The Attorney General of Lagos has obtained a RIDICULOUS court order from Justice Ogundare of Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, asking Nigerian protesters in Lagos to be restricted to 3 locations and for protests to commence at 8 am and close 6PM daily for the next seven days.”
He further added, “Let’s remind @officialABAT that no court can order Nigerians to seek their LIBERTY. Let the actions commence everywhere on August 1st 2024. #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow.”
The protests, organized under the banner of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, aim to voice the public’s frustration with the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu. Citizens are mobilizing nationwide to highlight the hardships they face, attributing them to governmental policies.
In preparation for the protests, the Take-It-Back Movement, a pro-democracy organization, has reached out to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. They requested contact information for senior police officials to ensure the events remain peaceful. The request, outlined in a letter dated July 30, 2024, and signed by Counsel Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), emphasized the importance of police presence to provide security during the protests.
The letter also noted the IGP’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights to assemble and the police’s role in maintaining public order. The Take-It-Back Movement seeks to guarantee a safe environment for all participants during the protests scheduled from August 1 to August 10 across eight locations nationwide.
