As several states count their losses from the #EndBadGovernance protest, which ought to have lasted for 10 days, the nationwide one million-man march scheduled to bring the protest to an end on Saturday did not take place in the states as protesters shunned the exercise.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has, however, vowed that the military would counter any violent and subversive actions disguised as protest.
While insisting that it would not condone any attempt veiled under the toga of protest to demand a regime change, DHQ also advised those who felt they had superior ideas on how to solve the nation’s socio-economic challenges to sell that to the electorate and acquire power through legitimate means.
This is just as Plateau youths under the aegis of the Coalition for #EndBadGovernance# in Plateau State also on Saturday met with Governor Caleb Mutfwang to mark the end of the 10-day protest and presented their demands to the governor.
However, a large number of protesters on Saturday defied the heavy security lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and mobilised for the last day of the protest, despite the heavy presence of the military, police, and personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in several parts of the city, particularly in the Central Business District.
However, instead of gathering at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the protesters, bearing different placards, moved to Lokogoma and Apo District, both in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the police in Ondo State on Saturday arrested some protesters, including the candidate of one of the political parties in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, a member of the Take It Back (TIB) movement, and at least three others.
Meanwhile, the DHQ has vowed that it would not condone any attempt veiled under the toga of protest to demand a regime change.
Giving the routine update on operational activities of the military and other security agencies, the Director of Defence Media Operation, Major General Edward Buba, said as part of its constitutional responsibilities, the armed forces would not relent in tackling these threats to ensure the stability of the nation.
“Importantly, the military stands firm and resolute in preserving the nation’s hard-earned democracy and opposes any form of unconstitutional change of government. Indeed, we will work assiduously to provide the enabling environments to support the government in the attainment of objectives in addressing the issues of poverty and hardship in the country,” he said.
He, however, noted that troops across all theatres of operations killed no fewer than 108 terrorists, and arrested 172 others during operations, within the period under review.
Police Arrest Governorship Candidate, Other Protesters in Ondo
Meanwhile, the police in Ondo State on Saturday arrested some protesters, including the candidate of one of the political parties in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, a member of the Take It Back (TIB) movement, and at least three others.
The protesters were arrested in Akure, the state capital, during the grand finale of the nationwide protest against hunger, hardship and poor governance.
In a swift reaction, the TIB Movement condemned the action of the police and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the protesters.
In a Twitter post, the TIB movement wrote:
“It’s unfortunate that the @PoliceNG is yet to learn. The continued clampdown on peaceful #EndBadGovernceInNigeria protesters is a total shame,” it said.