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#EndBadGovernance Day 5: Violent clash between security personnel and Okada riders in Karu, Abuja

Although President Bola Tinubu vowed on Sunday morning during a nationwide broadcast meant to address the ongoing national hunger protest, that his government would not allow a small group with a political agenda to tear the nation apart, the organisers of the ‘End Hunger’ protest in Lagos said they will continue their demonstration at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, on Monday, August 5, 2024.
At about 10.00am on Monday in Abuja, protesters gathered at the City Gate while protests continued at Nyanya, at the Kurudu axis near the Nigeria Post Army Estate in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.
Meanwhile, Law & Society gathered that there is an ongoing violent clash between government security personnel and commercial motorcycle riders near a mosque in Karu, AMAC, Abuja.
Likewise, in Kaduna on Monday, the EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest continued as youth in large numbers took to the streets to demand an end to bad governance and economic hardship.
A statement issued on Sunday, signed by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, the group expressed disappointment that it took President Tinubu three days of protests to address the nation.
Armed with flags of different colours and placards with various inscriptions, the protesters marched along the Constitution Road down to the stadium roundabout in the Kaduna State capital, while other groups were also seen protesting along the Ungwan Sariki Ali Akilu Road, demanding the removal of fuel subsidy and improved economic conditions.
Today’s protest comes after demonstrations were suspended last Thursday after the protest turned violent midway.
Following the Renewed Protest security has been up along all the major roads and government offices to avert any breakdown of law and order
Not even the presence of the police could stop the determined protesters, as they marched from the stadium roundabout to Ahmadu Bello way down to the NEPA roundabout and Ali Akilu Road.
The protesters could be heard chanting anti-government songs in Hausa language, and holding Russian flags, calling on President Bola Tinubu to resign.
Hoodlums Loot
Subsequent reports say the hoodlums have started looting government and private buildings around Nepa Junction at Roundabout, as they take to the streets to demand an end to bad governance and economic hardship.
Many of them were seen carting away with generating sets, roofing sheets, office chairs, door burglaries and other items.
Meanwhile, security forces have stopped the protesters from moving beyond the NEPA roundabout.
Among the protesters are minors as young as five years.
Notable Nigerians including Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar and Oby Ezekwesili described the president’s speech as being out of touch with the realty of Nigerians.
The 90-year-old Nobel laureate, a close ally of Tinubu, said the Sunday broadcast failed to address security agencies’ use of lethal force to quell #EndHunger protests across Nigeria which began last Thursday.
He also pointed out that the president’s refusal to address the matter in his speech was an endorsement and empowering the security agencies to continue toeing the pact of impunity.
Atiku Abubakar dismissed the broadcast, calling it a hollow speech devoid of solutions to the hardship facing Nigerians; while Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, said it read like a party manifesto and failed to connect with citizens’ concerns.
The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria group’s statement also followed the President’s broadcast where he urged them to suspend their demonstrations in favor of dialogue.
“We consider the President’s decision to address the nation an important victory for our movement,” the organizers said.
“Without our courage and resolve to dare the odds, even this acknowledgement would not have happened. So far, we have demonstrated that a President is not greater than the rest of the country,” the statement read.
The group criticised the President for what they described as a dual approach: offering dialogue while also demanding an end to the protests.
They also condemned recent violence against protesters, including attacks by thugs during a Sunday morning worship session and an incident where a protester was struck on live television.
“In our view, the president cannot be approbating and reprobating at the same time. The President cannot offer an olive branch while at the same time holding a dagger to our throat,” the trio said.
The organizers then called on Nigerian youth and the general public to join them at 7 a.m. on Monday at Gani Fawehinmi Park for the fifth day of protests.
They urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the media, and the Nigerian Bar Association to support their cause and not “stand idly by” as they face suppression.
The Lagos State government had previously described the protests as peaceful, but recent footage has shown clashes between protesters and hoodlums.
The organizers insist that their demonstration reflects the deep-seated frustration of ordinary Nigerians and remains committed to their demands for governance reform.
It would be recalled that ahead of the protests, Womanifesto, a body of over 300 women rights activists, advocates and organizations opened a situation room while declaring that it will join the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest in Nigeria to demand for accountability and good governance devoid of harassment and intimidation.
The group in a statement signed by its convener, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said:
“As working professionals, thought leaders, human rights advocates and mothers, we identify with the suffering of Nigerians fuelled by high inflation, low purchasing power, high cost of electricity and fuel as well as wasteful spending by governments at federal, state and local government levels. Nigerians are tired,hungry and disgruntled.
“It is disheartening that several government officials, state and non-state actors have made numerous attempts to label this protest as a coup, treason, or insurrection. The propaganda is loud, deliberately provoking and incongrous. Across the world, civil liberty and the right to gather is protected by law; and the same applies in Nigeria. We reject all spoken or insinuated attempts to bully Nigerians into silence. Such oppressive antics will be firmly resisted by Nigerians.
“In a bid to provoke their supporters to harrass #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protesters, Womanifesto has watched with dismay attempts by various elements to misrepresent the history and facts about the 2020 ENDSARS protest led by the Nigerian youth. It is the truth that following prolonged assault, harassment and killings by security agents especially from the Nigerian police, youths rose up to protest. The protest is documented as being largely peaceful across the country until the infiltration of thugs and criminals, most of whom are believed to be politically sponsored. The attending looting and destruction is also directly linked to the revelations of government personnel, institutions and traditional leaders hoarding food relief or palliatives, meant for their communities.
“Attempts to minimize the pains of Nigerians and their desire and right to display grievances through protests will be resisted by Womanifesto. Civil Society Organisations, lawyers and human rights advocates under Womanifesto stand with the Nigerian people’s constitutional right to gather without fear of harassment. We demand that the Nigerian police protects peaceful protesters across the country. Commendably, the Nigerian police as well as the State Security Service have announced that threats to peace have been identified. We anticipate that these identified threats will be prevented from attacking Nigerians during the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest. This is the duty of the police to Nigerians.
“We understand the agitations of governments across Africa as citizens stand up to demand the good governance they voted for. It is however unbecoming that instead of addressing the situation, some persons possibly under the influence of the government have taken to the streets to protest the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest. We have also read of threats by state and non-state actors, to attack protesters and fulfil their own prophecy of doom. We call on the police to swing into action and call these persons to order.
“We are sending a notification to the Nigerian military to stay off civil matters such as protests. There will not be a repeat of 2020, when the police and military killed our children, sisters and brothers. The President, state governors and the Nigerian security apparatus, especially the Nigeria police, will be held responsible for any single injury or loss incurred during this protest.
“Womanifesto demands that the federal government addresses the nation, itemizing tangible and measurable short, mid and long term plans to ameliorate the general economic hardship in the country. We will expect this plan to include clearly spelt out timelines which we will monitor, evaluate outcomes and suggest further steps to be taken by both the government and the citizens…”
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FG announces April deadline for completion of East-West Road

The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Eleme section of the East-West Road to expedite drainage work to meet the April deadline for completion.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the directive during an inspection of the ongoing 15km road upgrade from Eleme Junction to Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
While commending Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited for the quality of work done, Umahi insisted that the drainage must be prioritised to ensure timely completion.
“RCC has done very well. The work completed in the past two months is more than what was done since the project started. However, the project slowed down significantly when the site manager went on leave. I’m happy to see him back and satisfied with the quality of work RCC is delivering,” Umahi stated.
He emphasised the need to test existing road shoulders before excavation, warning against unnecessary digging for financial gains.
“The existing shoulder has to be tested throughout. I don’t want them digging up areas filled with sharp sand and stone base just to increase costs. If they don’t test it and request approval for any section they dig, they won’t get paid,” he warned.
Umahi also observed that drainage construction had either stopped or slowed significantly, urging the contractor to redesign and precast drainage systems for quicker installation, even during the rainy season.
“I’m happy with the project’s progress, and I believe they will complete the carriageway by the end of April. However, if drainage work is not completed, the project remains unfinished. They must accelerate drainage work to ensure we clear this carriageway by April,” he stated.
The minister further directed that any section of the road that has remained untouched for 21 days after concrete casting should be opened to commuters to ease traffic congestion.
“Anywhere that has stayed 21 days since concrete was cast should be opened to road users, starting today. This concrete technology will ensure the road lasts between 50 and 100 years without maintenance or reconstruction. It is a signature project of President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
Umahi also inspected the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway, Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt), which is being handled by the Chinese Construction Engineering Company.
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Reasons behind extreme heat conditions in FCT, Niger, Kogi – NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has given reasons for the high temperatures residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi and few other states are currently experiencing.
The current maximum temperature in the listed states is 40°C and the minimum is 23°C.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released last month by the agency shows that most of the northern and central states would record day-time temperatures ranging between 37°C and 40°C, while parts of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Plateau states in the North as well as Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, part of Cross River and Delta states in the South are expected to record temperatures ranging between 34°C and 37°C this month.
The agency attributed the high temperatures to climate change and advised Nigerians to embrace a lifestyle switch.
Residents of the states experiencing high temperatures are advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between noon and 3 p.m.
There are also indications that this year may be hotter than last year, which was described as the hottest year.
NiMet’s Director of Weather Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, announced this while speaking on phone with The Nation yesterday. He said: “Everything is embedded in the climate change theory. Every experience we are having now is a result of climate change. The hotness, in general, is because of climate change.
“Abuja, Lokoja, and Minna are located within the same ecological zone and these towns share the same weather pattern. Whatever happens to Lokoja will affect Minna and Abuja because they are in the same route of the flow of wind and also lie within the same climatic zone. Also, these towns have the same vegetation pattern.
“So, since they are within the same climatic belt, everything that affects Minna and the FCT will affect Lokoja accordingly. The heat is affecting everywhere, not just these towns mentioned. We said last year was the hottest in the history of the earth but this year already is trying to beat it to become the hottest.
“So, as the year increases, it’s obvious that we are going to have higher temperatures. I don’t know where we are headed with this trend, but something needs to be done to reverse the trend.”
To make the best of the situation, Prof. Weli said: “What can reverse the trend is for us to encourage every activity of man that will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, such as the use of electric cars, solar power and planting of trees.
“These will be other sources of energy other than the use of diesel and petrol and other hydrocarbon compounds that we use as sources of power. Also, we should plant more trees to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The more we plant trees, the more we reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the more we increase the oxygen.”
The NiMet director urged residents of the affected states with high temperatures to take necessary action to overcome the hot weather.
He said: “In order not to experience what we call heat stroke, people should drink more water often, keep themselves off the direct impact of sunlight between 12 p.m (noon) and 3 p.m. If people do not expose their bodies to the direct impact of sunlight, it will reduce water loss from the system.
“So, people should drink more water than necessary. Otherwise, their systems will be dehydrated, and that will cause secondary health issues.”
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JAMB begins sales of 2025 direct entry forms March 12

Registration for this year’s Direct Entry (DE) form will begin tomorrow, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said.
The board said the registration process is crucial for those who possess degrees, diplomas, or A-Level certificates and wish to advance their education at their preferred universities.
JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
The statement said the announcement for the commencement of the DE sales followed the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8.
“During this period, JAMB recorded a total of 2,030,627 registrations for the 2025 UTME, along with 200,115 for the Mock-UTME and 630 applications for the trial mock,” the statement said.
It added: “JAMB has emphasised the importance of adhering to all entry requirements, warning that serious penalties will be imposed on applications containing false declarations. A special committee will verify all submitted Advanced A-Level Qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions.
“Registration can only be done at JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRC).”
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