By Olatunde Marolan
Lagos State, the economic hub with a population of more than 15 million people, experienced a calm and peaceful protest on the second day of the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement.
Unlike the previous day, economic activities resumed fully, with businesses and offices opening for operations and vehicular movement returning to normal.
The protesters gathered at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota at 8:00 am, reiterating their demands for an end to bad governance, restoration of the fuel subsidy which President Tinubu had cancelled soon after he assumed office, and other issues.
Initially, sponsored political thugs attempted to disrupt the procession, but security forces intervened, calming the situation.
The police officers stood among the protesters, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police who led the scores of armed police to the venue, promised to hold himself responsible if anything happened to anyone.
The protesters sang solidarity songs supporting the police and other security forces, calling for increase of their salaries, better equipment, and placing politicians on the national minimum wage.
Later, some protesters engaged in a roadshow within the park, carrying banners and placards with messages such as “END BAD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA” and accusing certain politicians of being thieves.
The protest at Ojota ended at 4:00 pm, with the protesters cleaning up the vicinity before leaving.
They agreed to resume at the park the next day, canceling plans to march to Ikeja, the state capital.
Reports from Lekki toll gate and Ikeja protests indicated peaceful gatherings, with musicians and activists.
Falz, one of Nigeria’s favorite singers and a social media influencer stirred the crowd when he asked, “How long do you think you can keep pushing the people back before it blows up in your face?”
The protests concluded with his music playing from speakers, exciting the protesters.
Olatunde Marolan is an advocate for good governance and writes for Truth Nigeria on conflicts and social issues.
