The organisers of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest have announced a three-day mourning period to honor the memory of protesters killed by security agents during recent demonstrations.
The Explainer learned, the mourning period will run from Wednesday, August 7, to Friday, August 9, 2024, culminating in a public symposium and candlelight procession.
In a statement released by Hassan Soweto, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee, the organizers said the decision was made following a series of violent attacks on peaceful protesters by police and alleged state-sponsored thugs.
“We have declared three days of mourning in Lagos State to honour our fallen colleagues across the country who were killed by trigger-happy police and security agents during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest,” the organisers stated.
The committee urged Nigerians to participate in the mourning period through various means, including wearing black attire and updating social media profiles with movement graphics. They also encouraged participation in collective actions such as an X Space event on Wednesday and the public symposium and candlelight procession on Friday.
The organisers cited two primary reasons for the mourning period. First, they expressed concern over the Lagos State government and police’s failure to protect peaceful protesters from attacks.
Second, they alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was using divisive tactics to maintain power.
“At least over 40 protesters, mostly our Northern brothers and sisters, have been killed while hundreds have been arrested and detained over the course of the past few days,” the statement revealed.
The committee demanded the immediate release of detained protesters, including National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) Adaramoye Michael Lenin and Babatunde Oluajo. They also called for the dismissal of the Inspector General of Police and a public investigation into the violence during the protests.
As the #EndBadGovernance movement continues to seek answers to their demands, the organisers have appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to respect their right to mourn and have urged President Tinubu to address their unmet demands.
