In Abuja, the atmosphere is gradually returning to normal as protests have significantly diminished. On Tuesday, the Moshood Abiola Stadium was the focal point of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, with only two prominent activists, Ene Obi and Hauwa Mustapha, seen holding a sit-out. This marked the sixth day of nationwide demonstrations aimed at addressing issues of hunger and hardship.
Security forces have restricted protest activities, enforcing a court order that confines demonstrators to the stadium. Journalists covering the event were also prohibited from remaining outside the stadium, as part of the enforcement of this order.
Obi and Mustapha have pledged to continue their sit-out for the full duration of the ten-day protest period. Speaking to the media, Ene Obi criticised the government’s response to the protests, calling recent speeches from the president “empty” and accusing the administration of failing to meet any of the protesters’ demands. Obi also criticised the government’s handling of fuel subsidy removal and rising petroleum prices, suggesting that the policies are punitive towards ordinary Nigerians.
Obi further lamented the lack of employment opportunities and criticised the government’s proposed increase in ministerial positions, asserting that such actions do not address the real issues facing the country.
The decline in protest activity follows several days of clashes in Abuja, where police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
