Protesters under the banner of one of the organisers of the planned August 1 to 10 protest, the Take It Back Movement, have fiercely criticised a recent court ruling that restricts the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in Lagos to two specific parks.
The ruling, issued by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare of the Lagos State High Court, limits the protests to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu, following an ex parte application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN).
Reaction to the Court Ruling
Adekunle Taofeek, the Lagos Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, condemned the ruling as an abuse of judicial power designed to curb citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Taofeek asserted that the Lagos State Government must bear the responsibility for transporting protesters from various parts of the city to the designated parks.
“We frown on this abuse of judicial privilege to stifle freedom of association,” Taofeek declared.
He noted that the administration’s decision to limit protest locations necessitates that the government provide logistical support to ensure participants can reach the sanctioned venues.
Designated convergence points include Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, Okota Link Bridge, LASU Campus gates, Iyana Ipaja Underbridge, and Agege Pen Cinema, with more locations to be announced soon.
Logistical Demands
Taofeek specified that the buses provided by the state must be clean, safe, and air-conditioned, arriving at designated points by 6 am and returning protesters by 6 pm daily from August 1 to 10, 2024.
He also warned that if the government fails to provide these buses, protesters would march on foot to the designated parks each day.
“Your failure to provide buses for the protesters means they (protesters) would begin marching to the court-designated parks in the city on a daily basis for the duration of the #EndBadGovernance direct actions,” he stated.
Wider Context and Nationwide Movement
The #EndBadGovernance protest is a significant nationwide movement against corruption, economic hardship, and poor governance in Nigeria.
Scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024, the protests are planned across 35 states, including major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.
In Abuja, the Nigeria Police Force has already deployed 4,200 personnel, including a bomb squad, to maintain order, highlighting the authorities’ concerns about potential unrest.
As tensions escalate between the protest organisers and government authorities, the Take It Back Movement’s demands for logistical support underscore the logistical and political challenges of organising large-scale protests.
The outcome of the protests could have a profound impact on Nigeria’s political landscape, especially in terms of governance and accountability.
