The Lagos Planning Committee of the #EndBadGovernance protests has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast, describing it as “insensitive” and “arrogant.”
The committee, which met on Sunday, August 4, 2024, to discuss developments and the way forward, condemned the President’s failure to address the demands of the protesters.
The committee resolved to issue a strongly worded statement responding to the President’s broadcast, to mobilise for a World Media Conference, and plan a march from Ojota to Alausa on Monday, August 5, 2024, to reiterate their demands.
The protesters also rejected the President’s call to suspend the demonstrations for dialogue, demanding instead that he acknowledges their demands and show commitment to true dialogue by establishing an inclusive public engagement protocol.
The committee further resolved to create a register of victims of state brutality, hold a procession to honour their memory, and develop protest communication machinery to debunk misinformation and offer more information to the public.
The protesters vowed not to call off the protests officially, to avoid jeopardising the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations nationwide.
They also resolved to establish links with protest coordinators across the country to map out a unified struggle for national resistance.
The #EndBadGovernance protests began on August 1, 2024, across parts of the country, with demonstrators demanding an end to bad governance, corruption, and improved living conditions.
Below is full text of the resolutions by the #EndBadGovernance protest leaders in Lagos State:
Resolutions Reached by the August 1-10 Protest Lagos Planning Committee on Sunday, August 4, 2024
At a planning meeting to discuss developments and the way forward regarding the #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on August 1, 2024, across parts of the country, and President Tinubu’s response to the demands put forward by the protesters and suffering Nigerians, aired on August 4, the committee deliberated on this agenda:
- Matters Arising: During the discussion on matters arising, comrades identified the presence of contentious and divisive elements, including suspected state agents like one so-called Barr. JP and Agedo, at the protest ground (Ojota). These individuals were noted for attempting to sow disunity and spread misinformation to the media and the public. The meeting resolved to actively call out such elements and ensure that expressions and contributions during Congress are guided. This will be done by consciously yielding the floor to comrades capable of providing political education and steering the crowd’s participation in alignment with our aspirations.
The committee also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of comrades who were engaged in leafleting and raising public awareness about protests of the demands.
- President’s Broadcast & Next Steps: Despite his prolonged silence since the hunger agitations and the start of the #EndBadGovernance conversations online and protests offline, when President Tinubu finally addressed the nation, his speech reeked of insensitivity and an arrogant disconnect from the issues that have continued to trigger the country-wide protest.
He did not address the demands of the protest and blamed protesters and organisers for incidents of violence and police brutality that have trailed the demonstrations across the country. He also asked protesters to now suspend the demonstrations for dialogue. On this ground, the meeting discussed and resolved the following:
• To immediately put out a strongly worded statement responding to the President’s speech
• Mobilize for a World Press Conference
• Depending on the number of protesters on ground, plan a march from Ojota to Alausa on Monday, August 5, 2024, to reiterate our demands.
• Create a register of all victims of state brutality and hold a procession to honour their memory.
• In our press text, reject the President’s speech blaming protesters for the violence instead of addressing the high-handedness of security agents. Also respond to the attacks on peaceful protesters at Ojota today by both the police and sponsored thugs
• Demand that the President acknowledges the demands of the protest and show commitment to true dialogue by establishing an inclusive public engagement protocol that allows for genuine reflection and charting of a way forward.
• Present a counterproposal to the Presidency to meet at least the core demands of the protest (e.g. reversal of fuel subsidy removal or a cap reduction in fuel prices, reversal of the increment in electricity tariffs, etc.).
• Immediately develop protest communication machinery (social media handles, flyers) to debunk ongoing misinformation and offer more information to the public interested in joining the protest.
• Decide on possible post-protest scenarios, such as political programs and activities to keep the agitations alive and deepen class consciousness.
• Develop a flyer with details for those willing to join and support the movement.
• Consider aggressive radio and public engagements to respond to the Presidency’s speech and amplify protest demands.
• Mobilize the media to be present at Ojota tomorrow for the Congress to respond to the Presidency’s speech.
• Not to call off protests officially to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations nationally.
- Linking Up with Protest Coordinators Across the Country: The meeting resolved to establish links with protest coordinators across the country to map out a unified struggle for national resistance on #EndBadGovernance.
- Reports from August 1-10 Committees (Lagos):
- Finance: Comrade Pelad gave a financial statement of donations and contributions realised so far. (a raw breakdown of details can be attached)
- AOB: Comrades suggested the mobilisation of hundreds of individuals from the Island and other places to the Ojota. (Based on availability of resources).
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
