A large number of Lagos residents gathered at Ojota, Ikeja Underbridge, and Lekki to protest against what they described as “bad governance,” despite warnings from government officials and a heavy police presence. The demonstrations, which took place on Thursday, marked the beginning of a planned 10-day nationwide protest.
The #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria movement, which gained popularity through online campaigns, has sparked concern among authorities who feared a repeat of recent violent protests in Kenya. Major roads, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, were largely deserted earlier in the day, but Ojota became the epicenter of the Lagos protests.
Shehu Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, joined the protesters, adding a high-profile presence to the movement. According to reports on social media, police discouraged protests in other parts of Lagos, including Badagry, where officers told demonstrators to relocate to Ojota or face consequences.
The government had designated Ojota as the official protest site, prompting many demonstrators to walk from Ikeja Underbridge to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota. The protests are expected to continue across the country for the next 10 days.
