#EndBadGovernance Protest Holds in Lagos as Demonstrators Demand Action on Hardship, Insecurity

Activists, civil society groups and concerned citizens took to the streets of Lagos on Friday in a renewed #EndBadGovernance protest, using Democracy Day to demand urgent government action on economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising living costs.

The peaceful procession featured placards with messages such as “Free All Captives Now,” “End Anti-People Policies Now,” and “For a Living Wage and Mass Creation of Employment.” Demonstrators also called for action on inflation, high transportation costs and declining purchasing power.

The protest comes days after coordinated mass abductions in Oyo and Borno states, which protesters cited as further proof of worsening insecurity.

Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, joined the demonstration. Falana had earlier backed a nationwide June 12 protest by civil society groups over insecurity, hunger and economic difficulties facing millions of Nigerians.

Security operatives were deployed to monitor the protest.

A second group of demonstrators also marched in support of government reforms. Carrying banners that read “Better Days Ahead for Nigeria,” the pro-government protesters urged citizens to remain patient with ongoing economic policies, which they said would lead to long-term recovery and growth.