The organisers of the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide demonstrations in August have rejected a proposal by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for confined protests.
During a meeting on Tuesday, the IGP suggested holding protests in specific locations and advised against street rallies due to potential violence.
“It is not advisable to go on street processions because as you are planning a protest, some are planning violence,” the IGP advised.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a lawyer representing the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the protests, firmly rejected the IGP’s proposal. The virtual meeting also included human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other lawyers, civil society organizations, and key figures in the planned protests.
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The demonstrations, aimed at protesting economic hardship, have gained significant traction on social media and are scheduled to take place across all states and the nation’s capital, Abuja. Nigerians have been grappling with severe inflation and economic crises, exacerbated by the government’s removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows.
The police, military, and Department of State Services have warned against protests similar to those in Kenya. Politicians, concerned that the rallies might resemble the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, have appealed to youths to reconsider. However, young Nigerians remain determined to proceed with the protests.
Adegboruwa had previously written to the IGP on July 26, 2024, requesting police coverage for the protests.
In response, the IGP directed senior police officers to address the request and subsequently requested a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on July 30, 2024, to further discuss the matter. Adegboruwa opted for a virtual meeting, enlisting Falana, NBA members, and others to participate.
Adegboruwa highlighted some of the designated protest locations, 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, Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium in Rivers, and Freedom Park in Osogbo.
