Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has announced a 24-hour curfew in response to violent protests over economic hardship. The decision was revealed in a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Thursday. The curfew follows an Emergency State Security Council meeting, which focused on addressing the rising violence and disruptions stemming from the civil demonstrations. The council unanimously agreed on the curfew to protect lives and safeguard public and private property. Tofa emphasised the necessity of the curfew to restore order and ensure community safety. “The imposition of this curfew is a necessary measure to restore order and ensure…
Author: Editor Francis
The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a warning to Ndigbo across Nigeria, advising them to refrain from participating in the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest. The pro-Biafran group has emphasised the importance of heightened security awareness and the protection of lives and property during and after the protests. In a statement released on Thursday, IPOB, through its spokesman Emma Powerful, claimed to have received a security report indicating plans by security agencies to target Ndigbo during the protests. The group also alleged that there were schemes to sponsor criminal elements in the South-East to incite violent protests, providing a…
Fear is one of the most potent forces, capable of undermining human resilience and making life seem unbearable. It’s a fact that fear can gaslight individuals into despair. The Nigerian constitution recognises the right of citizens to express their grievances through protest. Protesting is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, dating back to the early 1920s when nationalist leaders took to the streets to demand change, and it yielded significant results. Protests have remained a vital tool for Nigerians, who believe it is the only language the government understands. In 2012, the Occupy Nigeria movement emerged in response to the removal…
Operatives of the Kano State Police Command have dispersed a group of youths who attempted to break into a store along Zoo Road in the state capital. The suspects tried to force entry into the two-story building housing Sadaraki Stores but were thwarted by the swift response of the police. Before the arrival of security operatives, the suspects managed to destroy several windows of the building. Despite this incident, there has been low compliance with the ongoing protest against hunger in the ancient city, as many residents remain indoors. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, addressing the situation, revealed that he had…
In a heartfelt address to Lagosians, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his commitment to the well-being and prosperity of Lagos State. He acknowledged the city’s historical resilience and cultural diversity while addressing the upcoming protests aimed at ending “bad government.” Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed concerns about the potential for these protests to be interpreted as attempts to change the government through non-constitutional means. He questioned whether protests would resolve current challenges, such as high food prices and economic stagnation, within a short time frame. Instead, he emphasised that such actions could undermine the progress already made. Highlighting ongoing government efforts, the governor…
The Edo State Police Command has announced its commitment to support and protect citizens exercising their right to protest, provided demonstrations remain peaceful. In a press briefing on Wednesday evening, State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, emphasized the constitutional right of citizens to protest. He revealed that the police had met with protest organizers to establish guidelines for the upcoming demonstrations. Key points from the briefing: 1. The police will protect peaceful protesters. 2. Demonstrations must not involve road blockages or violence. 3. Non-participants will be allowed to go about their normal business unhindered. 4. Protesters will be confined…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) have announced they will not participate in the upcoming nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance. The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, is scheduled to occur across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from August 1 to 10. In a rally held on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the students expressed concerns that the planned protest could be hijacked by hoodlums, leading to chaos and disruption of peace. Addressing journalists, Thomas Kehinde, the National President of NAOSS, urged students to avoid participating in the protests. “We,…
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has called on the Nigerian government to refrain from spreading fear ahead of the EnBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1st. Ezekwesili emphasised that the protest is a legitimate way for Nigerians to express their grievances about their current situation. Taking to X, Ezekwesili expressed her support for the protest organisers, criticising the government’s propaganda efforts. She stated, “This unrelenting media propaganda all over the country by the @NigeriaGov and their supporters is just because their badly governed and suffering citizens finally got distressed and discomfited enough to collectively raise their voice and ask them to…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has disbursed a staggering ₦633.30 billion in electricity subsidies in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s latest quarterly report. This amount marks a 150.5% increase from the ₦252.76 billion paid in the fourth quarter of 2023. The significant rise in subsidy payments is attributed to the government’s policy of harmonizing exchange rates and the lack of cost-reflective tariffs across all electricity distribution companies. Despite the substantial subsidy, distribution companies (DisCos) reported a revenue shortfall, collecting only ₦291.62 billion out of the ₦368.65 billion billed to customers. The total energy…
The recent wave of protests in Africa has resulted in significant economic and human costs. In Lagos, Nigeria, the #ENDSARS protests led to a loss of N700 billion in just ten days, according to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Similarly, the Kenyan government has incurred KSH 6 billion in losses from ongoing Gen-Z revolts. The toll on human lives in both countries is immeasurable. In Sudan, externally instigated protests, amplified by social media, have escalated into a civil war. The Sudanese economy contracted by about 20% in 2023, with tax revenue plummeting from 5.6% of GDP in 2021…
In a unified statement, Global Rights and other leading civil society organisations across Nigeria and Africa have urged the Nigerian government to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest. This reminder comes ahead of a planned nationwide protest set to commence on August 1st, 2024. The organisations, including Yiaga Africa and Enough is Enough, emphasised that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democratic governance and a fundamental right enshrined in international human rights instruments and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended). They stressed that this right is essential for citizens to express dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change. “This right…
Funso Doherty, the former governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, has announced his departure from the ADC to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Doherty made the announcement on Monday night via a statement posted on his official X page. He stated that the decision was made after extensive consultations. “After extensive consultations, I have resigned from the ADC and joined the PDP. With humility and an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, I look forward to working collectively to build the Lagos of our dreams,” Doherty wrote. This move marks a…