The 10 Demands Of The #EndBadGovernance Protest Conveners
Protesters Take To The Streets Over Hardship
The 10 demands of the #EndBadGovernance protest organisers reeled out to the Federal Government of Nigeria. here they are:
It is no news that once-blossoming Nigeria’s Economy, ranked first in Africa and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, is now in shambles as the country has experienced various summersaulted policies since the emergence and inception of the new party, All Progressives Congress in 2015.
It is to be noted that many Nigerians now live below poverty level. According to various sources, this present administration, Tinubu-led administration, is the worst in history of the country as reports garnered indicate that the aggrieved youths, who are dejected and pessimistic, are not ready to back out of the protests if their demands are not met.
Noting what the experiences like in recent times, no government will want any demonstration at the moment. So, the government needs to act fast to accede to their demands in avoidance of anarchy. On the other hand, the demands, if met, would be a resolution to the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.
The 10 demands of the #EndBadGovernance protest conveners to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In the statement, Tinubu-led administration is urged to address issues of hunger in the country, unbearable cost of living, insecurity, wastage in cost of governance and release all detained #EndSARS protesters languishing in custody.
The demonstrators also demand adequate protection for farms and farmers against attacks and infiltration, declaration of state of emergency on education by addressing its issues and shortcomings, electoral reform, establishment of living wage and amendment of the constitution to give way to referendum when required.
Below are the 10 demands put forward:
- HUNGER
Reduce the cost of food immediately, with solutions like food importation, subsidised credits, and intervene in logistics and storage challenges.
- COST OF LIVING
Address the rising cost of living: Reduce pump price of fuel to N195/litre to reflect current economic challenges; Reduce electricity tariffs, and import taxes.
- INSECURITY
Curb insecurity across the country: stop diverting security resources (money & people) and immediately prosecute known instigators & criminals. Resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) immediately.
- GOVERNMENT WASTE / COST OF GOVERNANCE/ BLOATED NASS PERMANENTLY
Reduce by 50% the running costs of the executive and National Assembly and fully implement the Oronsaye Report to scrap agencies and reduce the size of government. Scrap hardship, entertainment, and all other NASS allowances and immediately remove all 7,447 projects worth N2.24 trillion inserted by the National Assembly in the 2024 federal budget.
- #EndSARS DETAINEES
Release ALL #EndSARS protesters; obey ECOWAS judgement; make public the #EndSARS Judicial Panel Reports and implement recommendations, including payment of compensations.
- PROTECT FARMS AND FARMERS
Provide security to farmers across the country, restore stolen lands, subsidise farm inputs – seeds, fertilisers, insecticides and ban destructive GMOs.
- HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Declare a state of emergency on education and increase budgetary allocation to education and healthcare by 20% and revert to the old National Anthem. 5 Demands by October 1°t
- ELECTORAL REFORM
Implement the Justice Uwais report on Electoral Reform and include mandatory electronic balloting and transmission to IREV, ending with an executive Electoral Bill to the National Assembly by October 1.
The new Electoral Act must be signed by December 2024.
- ESTABLISH A LIVING WAGE
Go back to the negotiating table for an implementation plan to establish an unemployment/living wage. Enforce implementation across board. Create immediate employment for youths and clear ALL backlog of pensions.
- CONSTITUTIONAL AND JUDICIAL REFORMS
Sponsor Executive Bill to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow for referendums. Nigerians want to vote on a new constitution! The process of appointment and discipline of judges should be transparent.
Leadership is about responsiveness.
The 10 Demands Of The #EndBadGovernance Protest Conveners
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Banks, Eateries, Fuel Stations, Others Close As Fear Of Looting Grow
Day 1:
Today was the first day into the 10-day planned #EndBadGovernance protest as many more youths vowed come participate in coming days.
Today, 1st August, 2024, occasioned the planned 10-day hunger protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, in Nigeria as banks, eateries, filling stations and other outlets were closed.
People take to the streets of Nigeria to express and air their grievance over Government’s incapability to make lives bearable for the masses. Residents in every state of the federation and the federal capital territory, Abuja, except southeastern states, came out en mass for the protest.
It is a wake-up call for the President and other Nigerian political leaders in the country not to relent and act fast and address the needs of the demonstrators which may degenerate into anarchy or be hijacked by unfavourable forces
Banks, Eateries, Filling stations, among others, were seen closed with the heavy presence of security operatives in order to maintain laws and orders while in some other areas, some protesters were seen Looting and engaging in all sorts of violence.
We Will Not Stop Except Tinubu Meets Our Demands, Vow Protesters
Re-affirming their commitment and resilience, the demonstrators of the ongoing hunger and #EndBadGovernance Protest said that they are not going to back down until their demands are fully met by the President.
In Abuja, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, said that the hardship and hunger in the country are unbearable, and the President’s anti-people policies have lasted too long.
He said, “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration. Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.
“Today, we have risen. We saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accede to our demands we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”
Also speaking, one of the key figures at Take It Back Movement, Ayoola Babalola, lamented that the used of coercion on the peaceful protesters around the complex of Moshood Abiola stadium is an embarrassment to the country and vowed that no amount of force or restriction will intimidate the demonstrators.
Violent Erupted In Jigawa And Others
Meanwhile, violence ensued in various states plus Abuja where many protesters engaged security operatives. What it was said to be a peaceful demonstration turned violent in Hadejia as miscreants attached and razed Government properties including Local Government secretariat, Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company JASCO and others.
In Kaduna, Kano, various degrees of violence and looting were also reported.
Credit – Nigerian Police Force Headquarters
End The Protest Now!: IGP Egbetokun
Reacting to the nationwide #EndBadGovernance Protest which witnessed deaths of police officers and protesters.
In a bid to thwart further unpleasant occurrence, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated his displeasure at various killings and violence witnessed, today, during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance Protest.
He stated that a Police officer lost his life and others injured while some police stations were burnt to the ground by some assailants in the guise of protesting.
“In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order,” the IGP said.
“There were unprovoked attacks on policemen & other security agents with some stations burnt to the ground by hoodlums disguising as protesters. My advice is that they (protesters) should not bother to continue with this (protest).
The 10 Demands Of The #EndBadGovernance Protest Conveners
