By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Director-General of a political support group, Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors, Alhaja Tai Elemesho-Okesanjo, has cautioned residents of Lagos against participating in the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024.

The protests are reported to be organised by various pressure groups in the country, aim to express frustration and displeasure over escalating living costs and hardships faced by Nigerians.

Alhaja Tai in a released statement on Wednesday, explained the need for relevant security agents not to allow Lagos State to be seen as epicenter for fresh demonstrations or protests, stressing that the government and people of Lagos still nurture the wounds of Endsars violence that wrecked havocs across the state.

The Director-General added that while she believed things are tough presently for Nigerians also acknowledged that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and his team will make sure in few months things are better and as well ensured new lease of life for the citizenry.

Elemesho-Okesanjo equally used the opportunity to commend the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership in the last five years of his administration, maintaining that it would be uncharitable, thoughtless and insensitive for anyone to stage a protest against such government that has touched many lives and performed creditably.

Her statement reads in part;

“In the last five years, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made giant strides in several sectors; including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and housing among others. He has embarked on several projects since assuming office in 2019 and continuing with greater vigour in his second term to improve lives and values to humanity. The administration has also established several new state universities which open the space for more youths to access tertiary education.

“Other projects are the first intra-city rail line which was inaugurated by the immediate past Federal government. The Lagos Blue Line light rail is a 27km long rail and is part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system managed by the state transport agency Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The first phase of the Blue Line, a 13km stretch from Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and subsequently launched and began commercial operations in September 2023.

“The Sanwo-Olu administration within the last year unveiled a new transport policy to further the developmental goals of the state, with key objectives and strategic initiatives in traffic management and transportation for the people of Lagos. In the health sector, the Sanwo-Olu’s government is building hospitals and other healthcare delivery facilities. The Massey Children’s Hospital on the Island, the Ojo General Hospital, mental health facility, Ketu-Ereyun, among others, are being completed.”

Elemesho again disclosed that the planned demonstration was ill-timed, while also urging parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking on any protest in the state. She added that the “possibility of hijacking it by armed hoodlums to cause grieve and pains like the recent past is evident. Therefore, there is need for all our law enforcement agents not to lose their guard by identifying and mitigatng violence in Lagos”

She declared that whilst protest remains a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, it is evident that beyond genuine complaints, these recent calls to protest have been highly exaggerated and sensationalized by disgruntled political elements who never wished Nigeria well.

The DG further noted that as the call for the #EndBadGovernance protest gains momentum, Nigerian youths should however redirect their zest and prowess towards dialogue, collaboration, and constructive engagement and utterly dissociate themselves from destructive and vituperative tendencies that could ruin the country and damage their future.