The #EndBadGovernance 2024 protests saw Nigerians take to the streets in various locations nationwide, sparked by frustration over the country’s economic conditions. The protesters vowed “10 days of rage” in demonstrations.
The organisers and supporters of the protest, including Ene Obi, the former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Hauwa Mustapha, research officer at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Take It Back Movement, Revolution Now, Human Rights Co-Advocacy Group and more, demanded that the government reverse the hike in fuel prices and tertiary education fees, offer free education, end insecurity, declare a state of emergency on inflation, disclose lawmakers’ pay, reopen national borders, reduce import duties, put an end to hunger, economic hardship, and bad governance, among other things.
The progression of the protest
The enthusiasm on the first day of the protest across the country began to diminish by the second day, when economic activities slowly resumed. While Eastern states and their indigenes did not participate in the protests, Western and Southern states recorded a lower turnout on day two. In contrast, the protests grew violent in Northern states, recording high casualties. Lives were lost, properties were damaged, vandalised, or set ablaze.
On the 4th day of the protest, President Bola Tinubu addressed the country, acknowledging the pain and frustration of the public and urging protesters to halt further demonstrations in favour of dialogue.
He stressed the importance of preventing violence and damage while highlighting his administration’s initiatives to stabilise the economy and enhance public welfare. Tinubu’s speech failed to address the protesters’ demands, which resulted in public condemnation.
Hundreds of protesters resumed the following day in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Niger, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Plateau, and Niger. Protesters in Lagos and Abuja were met with strong opposition by law enforcement agencies and asked to return home, while the protests were reported to have turned violent in the North for the remainder of the days of rage.
The final three days of the demonstrations were sombre, dedicated to mourning and honouring the brave souls who lost their lives in the struggle, with a candlelight procession.
The #EndBadGovernance protest wrapped up on Saturday with a one million-person march in Abuja. This march was reported as a flop due to the low turnout.
Active participation of the North in the protests
Recall that most of the North did not participate in the 2020 EndSARS protests. At the time, they praised the police unit for their effort in the fight against insecurity in the North. However, Northern states had the most active presence in #EndBadGovernance and recorded the highest casualties and arrests in the demonstrations.
The northern part of the country has suffered the worst impact of the ongoing rise in hunger and poverty, worsened by President Tinubu’s elimination of the fuel subsidy, the devaluation of the naira and subsequent inflation. The region is also home to many small-scale farmers who have faced hardships at the hands of insurgents and bandits, leading to decreased crop production and means of livelihood.
Despite producing the most presidents and heads of state of Nigeria, the northern region still needs to catch up on key development indicators such as technology, education, infrastructure, and revenue generation.
Motivated by these reasons, the Northern protests saw aggrieved protesters take to looting and vandalism of infrastructure across the states. They looted government-owned and private buildings, including the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) in Kano, the Kano Printing Press, and the main office of the state’s High Court.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman Garba, briefed the media on Monday, August 12, about the ongoing investigations and arrests related to the unrest.
“In compliance with the Inspector-General of Police’s instructions to all commands and formations, the Kano Command has been actively and professionally handling the aftermath of these incidents,” Garba stated. “As a result of these actions, 873 individuals have been apprehended, and a significant amount of evidence has been recovered.”
Russian flags: An error or a deliberate inclusion?
The #EndBadGovernance protest witnessed a striking occurrence as protesters took to the streets waving Russian flags. While there hasn’t been an official explanation for the waving of the Russian flag during the protest, it may signify a call to replicate the strategic partnership Russia has offered countries like Niger and Chad during their transition to military rule.
The Russian mission in Nigeria disclaimed any association with the movement, and authorities have arrested some Spaniards linked to the funding, causing bewilderment regarding the connection between Spaniards and the display of Russian flags.
The aftermath
Curfews were imposed in Kano and other northern states on the 4th of August. However, Abba Bello Abba from the Nigerian Patriotic Front, a protest organiser in Kano, stated, “Once the curfew is lifted, we will resume the protest; we will persist until our demands are addressed.”
On August 13, the Kaduna State Government lifted the curfew. The Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said, “With this development, law-abiding citizens were free to move and engage in legitimate activities in Kaduna and Zaria and their environs with no restriction.”
While the protests may have fizzled out in the West and South with no record of protests after day four, the protests in the North were forcefully stopped after the government imposed curfews. It is also unclear whether the protests will continue as the organisers in the North promised.
