By Opeyemi Mohammed
One of the foremost civil society organisations in Nigeria, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), on Thursday, counselled organisers of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, not to overstay their welcome.
The CDHR President, Mr Debo Adeniran, who spoke with newsmen on the protest in Lagos, said that the protest had achieved its purpose.
“Of course, the protest has achieved its purpose, even before today.
“But the objective of bringing people together as desired by the protest must be actualised and be demonstrated, that’s what is going on.
“That has been achieved. I believe the protesters will not unnecessarily out-step their bounds or overstay their welcome.
“They should just do it one day and get to their various places, review and re-strategise.
“Protesters cannot achieve anything better than what they have achieved before today.
“They have also stamped their resolve by coming together today. This is enough.
“They have driven home their points, they should not overstay their welcome,” Adeniran reiterated.
He said the protests have been peaceful so far.
“Except in Bauchi where we learnt that the security agencies dispersed the protesters. That is bad and undemocratic.
“This kind of confrontation can lead to resistance. The protest has forced the government to backpedal on some of its bad policies affecting livelihood.
“The government has also known now that there is a limit to how people can play deaf and dump while suffering,” TheNewsZenith quotes Adeniran as saying.
Adeniran, also Executive Director of The Centre for Anti-Corruption Leadership (CACOL), urged the government to also think of the ordinary people in whatever policies and programmes they formulate.
“If you are doing something, that is not yet mature, let the people know what you are doing. let them know the gestation period, and what the outcome will be.
Meanwhile, protesters under the umbrella of the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) on Thursday on the Federal Government to reverse all the ‘biting economy policies” and repair dilapidated roads in the area.
TheNewsZenith reporters who monitored the situation report that they stormed the Sango-Ota under-bridge, making their demands
They chanted solidarity songs, from the take-off point at Jendor Supermarket at Oju-Ore to Sango Under-Bridge in Ogun State.
Mr Akanbi lfadola, the Head of the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), Ogun Chapter, spoke on behalf of the protesters.
Ifedola said that the ongoing economic hardship and dilapidated roads on Ota and environs had become major concerns.
Ifadola said that the government must construct Atan-Agbara Road, Sango Under-Bridge, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway among other decayed infrastructure in Ota.
“We are here on behalf of Nigerians to say that we are suffering. This is because of some harsh government policies at the state and federal levels.
“Nigerians are tired of suffering. Look at Ota, we have the largest number of companies, see our roads, they have become death traps.
“In Ota, the number of unemployed youths has hit the roof. This is because many companies can no longer produce because of inflation. This has forced many of them to retrench workers.
“Enough is enough, we want a better life for the people,” Ifadola said.
According to him, protesters want those in the corridor of power to hear their voices at the state and federal levels.
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of happenings in your area with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenithonline@gmail.com. Also, follow us on www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline
