Protesters and the police clashed Friday in Abuja as the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations continued.
Marchers who were trying to reconvene at the Berger Bus Stop and proceed to the Moshood Abiola Stadium Friday morning were dispersed with teargas and live firearm by the police as they chanted solidarity songs, and the slongan ‘End bad governance’ and ‘Hungry dey.” One protester was said to have died, and many others injured as the crowd was tried to escape from the teargas fumes and live bullets.
There was also pocket of protests in other cities across the country. In Jigawa State protesters defied the curfew imposed by the government and came out in their numbers.
Meanwhile former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has called on more Nigerians to join the protests as a way of driving home the message to President Bola Tinubu on the need for good governance and to also end the massive inflationary trends in the country.
“I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance,” said Atiku in a statement.
“The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy. These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation.
“For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace and must be commended for their restraint and dedication. However, in some isolated instances, there have been reports of violence, leading to regrettable clashes and brutalities by the police.
“I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest. This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard, and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law.
“I also call on the police to engage more professionally in managing these protests. The needless killing of innocent citizens by security agencies is unacceptable. The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting the protest. It is imperative that security agencies exercise restraint while enforcing law and order.”
