Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer for part of the organisers of the planned hardship protest, has urged demonstrators to limit their protest to one or three days.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which are gaining traction on social media, are scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, hours before the protest, Adegboruwa asked demonstrators to be orderly and peaceful as they gather on Thursday to protest in the sites already designated by police.
While applauding the demonstrators’ bravery, he asked for contact with the government on the issues expressed in order to address them, and urged demonstration organisers to form separate teams to engage with various government agencies for prompt action.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated, “Even our forefathers in their graveyards have heard your voices loud and clear.” The government’s chaotic behaviour since the protests were announced demonstrates the moral victory of your campaigns and struggles.
“What we have done in the past few days is to facilitate dialogue with the law enforcement and security agencies. The insistence by the Inspector-General of Police of ‘credible intelligence’ with plans for violence is a confirmation of the desperation of the government to abort the protests by sponsoring hooligans and thugs to disrupt the protests. This is currently ongoing in many parts of Lagos State.”
“I therefore appeal that the protests be orderly and peaceful and conducted in the locations you have already sent to the police.
“Also, let the days of the protests be reduced to one day or the maximum three days and thereafter be suspended. Let your demands be made known to the government and then give time to address them.
“I have no doubt that you have the capacity to prosecute the protests as intended and that you have the support and prayers of the majority of our people, in all your actions. But let us give room for more dialogue. I offer to join you in this, anytime.
“I make this appeal in the interest of peace, progress and tranquillity of our dear nation,” he added.
‘Don’t Fire A Single Bullet’
The Senior Advocate also warned security agencies against firing bullets, arbitrary arrests of citizens and deployment of the military.
“The law recognises the right to peaceful protests while mandating the police to offer protection to unarmed civilians during their protests. Let no single bullet be fired tomorrow, let there be no arbitrary and unlawful arrest of citizens and let there be no deployment of the military to handle tackle engagements.
“The protesters are our children and our citizens. They certainly do not deserve bullets and crackdowns.”
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