Nigerians were praised by senior attorney Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa for their bravery in showing up in large numbers for the country’s protest on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
According to news reports, Nigerians from all backgrounds flocked to different regions of the nation in response to the call for protests to #EndBadGovernance.
They took these actions in defiance of threats, intimidation, and harassment from the security apparatus and ruling government officials.
“The people came out in their large numbers to speak against the suffering, hunger and poverty imposed on them by the administration of President Tinubu,” Adegboruwa stated
“I salute the courage and resilience of all Nigerians. Even those who could not make it to the streets stayed at home in form of civil disobedience. Most offices were shut, markets closed and the streets deserted, in solidarity with the protesters.”
Despite isolated incidents of fighting in some regions of the country, he maintained that the protests have, for the most part, been peaceful thus far, particularly in Lagos and Abuja. These incidents are attributed primarily to the security services’ provocations.
“Notwithstanding that, the protests were largely successful, well-coordinated and on target,” he said
“I commend the organizers of the protests, for their maturity and peaceful management of the events. I also commend the press for being alert to their responsibilities to cover the events and to give accurate reporting to the people. This should continue.”
“The responsibility imposed upon all security agencies is to provide coverage for the peaceful protesters and to avoid all provocative actions that may escalate into uncomfortable fracas,” he said.
Adegboruwa added “In addition, government should urgently identify and hold accountable any police or law enforcement officer that may have been found culpable to violate the rights of the peaceful protesters, especially in locations where it has been reported that protesters were wounded and shot dead.
“I urge the organizers of the nationwide protests to continue in the same peaceful manner that we have all witnessed today and to refrain from all actions that may lead to violence or a breakdown of law and order.
“By now, I expect that the federal and state governments would have set up the machineries for genuine and meaningful dialogue with the protesters, with a view to addressing the issues raised in their demands.
“It will be the height of leadership insensitivity for the governing to remain silent and pretend that all is well.”
