Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

As the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests enter the third day, the protesters in Abuja, gathered at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, on Saturday, invited leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria for a “heart-to-heart” talk at the protest venue. Addressing the protesters, Sydney Usman, who is with the Take It Back Movement, thanked the leaders for their various interventions through the media but asked the leaders to show up at the venue on Monday, August 4, 2024, to discuss with the protesters. The protester, who described the leaders as their fathers, said they were protesting bad…

Security operatives at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday dispersed protesters and journalists from the facility with gunshots. The security operatives aimed at protesters and journalists who ran for cover. The protesters were reconvening after being dispersed by security agents deployed to the stadium. Suddenly, masked security operatives suspected to be personnel of the Department of State Services started shooting sporadically at protesters. As a result, the protesters ran inside bushes around the stadium with some of the security operatives giving them a hot chase. Afterwards, the remaining masked operatives on the ground came for the journalists who…

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, has appealed to Nigerians to suspend the nationwide protest tagged ’EndBadGovernance’ against the current government. Shuaibu made the call in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest, which commenced on Aug. 1, and is expected to end by Aug.10, was organised in response to the challenges being faced in the country. The minister urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue in addressing all their concerns regarding the difficulties being faced in the country. He also urged…

The Peoples Democratic Party has criticised President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the nation amid the nationwide EndBadGovernance protests. Amid severe economic hardships, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities. In response, youths began protests on Thursday, continuing into Friday, across Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and other regions, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance. In a statement released on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens of the pressing issues affecting them. The statement read in part, “The PDP demands…

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Zacheous Michael, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Kabba Bunu Local Government Area in Kogi State. The abduction occurred on Friday night along the Kabba/Okene road, and involved the chairman and several of his aides. Police Public Relations Officer William Ayah confirmed the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has mobilized officers for a search and rescue operation. Ayah assured that the police will spare no effort in securing the release of Michael and his aides. There has been no information about whether a ransom has been demanded. Sources suggest that the abduction might…

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the public to ignore the viral threat on social media X, demanding Igbo citizens to leave Lagos State in the next one month. According to the threat, all South-Easterners must vacate Lagos State, or face massive protests slated to hold from August 20th -30th, 2024. In the same vein, the South East Caucus of the National Assembly condemned alleged ethnic profiling of Igbos in the face of ongoing protests in parts of the country. It also called on security agencies to fish out the brains behind the hate messages and prosecute…

Ivan Litvinovich from Belarus on Friday became the first athlete competing as a neutral at the Paris Olympics to win gold — but it will not appear in the official medals table. The 23-year-old retained his title in the men’s trampoline final, with China’s Wang Zisai and Yan Langyu taking silver and bronze. Athletes from Russia and ally Belarus are competing under a neutral banner after being banned from world sport following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has overseen their gradual return under a neutral banner and under strict conditions. To be invited…

Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, has lifted the curfew imposed in the aftermath of the Kaworu bomb blast that resulted in the deaths of 16 people and left several others critically injured. The government on Friday temporarily relaxed the curfew to allow Muslims to observe the Friday (Jumaat) prayers. Making the announcement in a statewide broadcast while consoling the families of the Kawuri bomb attack, the governor said it was necessary to impose the curfew to avoid Boko Haram elements taking advantage to create havoc in the state ”I wish to commiserate with the families of those affected by this…

Organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, now in their second day, have declared that the nationwide demonstrations will continue until President Bola Tinubu addresses their demands. Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, stated that the protests will persist for the full 10 days or longer, depending on the government’s response. Adenola also addressed comments from Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Adegboruwa had sought protection for the protesters from security agencies, but Adenola clarified that Adegboruwa does not represent their group. He remarked, “Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa is not our lawyer and…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September 21 election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has offered scholarships to youths from the state amidst ongoing nationwide protests against hardship and hunger in the country. Aligning with the future of young people, the Edo Central Senator also hosted a two-way session that not only engaged but inspired the youth of the state. As protests sweep across the nation and entertainment shows like BBNaija capture widespread attention, Okpebholo chose a different path—one that prioritises the real issues facing the country. He awarded scholarships worth millions of Naira to…