Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, a non-governmental organisation, has asserted that the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship will persist until President Bola Tinubu addresses the organisers’ demands.
Speaking on Channels TV on Friday, Adenola stressed that the nationwide rallies, now in their second day, would continue despite calls for suspension. He clarified that human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa does not represent his group, even though Adegboruwa had sought protection for the protesters from security agencies.
Adenola voiced concerns about the infiltration of the rallies by fifth columnists but affirmed that the 10-day protests would not be halted. He suggested that the duration of the protests might extend beyond 10 days, depending on the government’s response to their demands.
“Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa is not our lawyer and does not speak for us,” Adenola stated. “He might have presented himself as the solicitor, but he is not hungry. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who lives well. He is not hungry like the people taking over the streets.”
“We are waiting for the government to respond to us and address our demands. Until then, the protests continue,” he added. Although the protesters’ demands have not been addressed, Adenola believes the protests have sent a strong message to the current government.
Adenola highlighted that the protests have empowered Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders. When asked about potential sponsors of the protests, he attributed the movement’s driving forces to hunger and economic hardship.
He emphasized that if the Federal Government were truly committed to addressing the people’s struggles, President Bola Tinubu would have already responded to the protesters’ demands, showing urgency and concern for the citizens’ well-being.
According to SaharaReporters, the protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, entered its second day on Friday, August 2, 2024, aiming to draw attention to the severe hunger, deprivation, and excessive hardship in the country following the devaluation of the naira and the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The protesters have presented a list of key demands, including:
- The reinstatement of petrol subsidies and a revised foreign exchange regime
- Urgent action to address food shortages, unemployment, and excessive spending by government officials
- Reduction of the President’s cabinet and the overall cost of governance
- Immediate and comprehensive reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
- A renewed commitment to combating corruption, focusing on holding corrupt politicians accountable
These demands reflect the protesters’ desire for economic relief, improved governance, and a more equitable distribution of resources.