Lawyers have criticized the government’s response to the ongoing hunger protest, asserting that peaceful protest is a constitutional right that must not be infringed upon. They also argue that the government did not do enough to address the root causes of the protest.

Abeny Mohammed (SAN) noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu failed to show empathy by not addressing the protesters directly. “The failure to speak to the protesters before or on the day the protest began was a missed chance to connect with the suffering Nigerians,” he said.

He added, “The massive deployment of security forces to stop the protesters is an admission of failure by the government, showing it has no solution to their genuine demands. Forceful suppression of peaceful protests violates the constitution and is unacceptable in a democracy.”

Mohammed also condemned the last-minute court injunctions obtained by some state governments to restrict the protests. “These ex-parte injunctive orders were a gross abuse of court processes and infringed on Section 40 of the constitution, providing freedom of peaceful assembly. The judges who granted these orders acted outside the principles governing ex-parte orders. The urgency claimed by the courts was self-imposed and unjustified.”

Ikoro N.A. Ikoro Esq emphasized that the Nigerian constitution allows people to air their grievances through peaceful protest. He criticized the government’s wasteful spending on luxury items while citizens struggle with necessities. “When people can’t afford essentials like fuel, garri, or beans, it’s clear the government has not done enough. Promises of future improvements are not enough when people are suffering now,” he said.

Ikoro further noted that if the government had put as much effort into addressing the issues as they did in trying to stop the protests, the situation might not have escalated.

Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq pointed out that the right to protest is protected under international law, provided it remains peaceful. “Protests should consider the rights of others, including both adults and minors. The government has not done enough to address the widespread hunger, which has worsened under the current administration,” he said.

Jimoh added, “The government’s failure to gauge public opinion and address economic hardships has led to widespread suffering. This protest was avoidable if the government had acted appropriately.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced pro bono legal support services for protesters nationwide. In a statement, NBA National Publicity Secretary Akorede Habeeb Lawal said the NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), directed the establishment of Legal Support Services Teams across the country. The NBA has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate on this initiative.

Maikyau instructed all NBA branch chairpersons to ensure their human rights committees handle cases of fundamental rights breaches, harassment, or torture by law enforcement agents during the protests. “Branch chairpersons are also to set up Situation Monitoring Committees (SMC) to monitor interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters,” the statement added.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, stated that Kano was the most affected by violence during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.

The 10-day protest against the economic crisis began Thursday across various parts of the country, including Kano. Northern Nigerian cities, especially Kano, experienced significant violence. Protesters in Kano raided and set ablaze the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) industrial park, which was scheduled for commissioning next week. Looters took desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other appliances. Shops and warehouses were also looted in different parts of the state.

In response to the violence and looting, Governor Abba Yusuf declared a 24-hour curfew in Kano on Thursday.

Speaking to journalists at his palace on Friday, Sanusi described the looting of the NCC industrial park and Kano printing press as unfortunate. He emphasized that the north, particularly Kano, has been most affected by the violent protests.

Sanusi urged the people of Kano to avoid further uprisings, reminding them that the state has endured more challenging times. He called on parents and guardians to dissuade their children from participating in protests.

“Yesterday was a sad day for the people of Kano when hoodlums hijacked the protests against hunger and economic hardships and caused mayhem in our state,” he said. “They engaged in arson, looting, and attacking innocent people, despite warnings and advice from experts and leaders against such actions.”

Sanusi’s appeal highlights the need for peaceful expressions of grievances and the importance of maintaining order during protests.

France’s grudge match with Argentina ended in ugly scenes after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal to put the hosts into the Olympic semi-finals on Friday with a 1-0 win, joining Spain, Morocco and Egypt.

Tensions spilled over at full-time in Bordeaux with rival players and staff clashing on the pitch and confrontations continuing down the tunnel.

Crystal Palace striker Mateta struck five minutes into the  quarter-final, meeting Michael Olise’s corner with a superb near-post header.

That proved enough for the hosts, coached by Thierry Henry, to reach the last four, where they face Egypt.

Friday’s clash was the first meeting of the nations since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about their French counterparts as they celebrated winning the Copa America in mid-July.

FIFA announced it would investigate the chants, which targeted France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and included racist and homophobic insults.

The Argentina team were met with a hostile welcome, where the crowd loudly jeered their national anthem as the sides met for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final, which the South Americans won on penalties.

Henry said midfielder Enzo Millot, who had been substituted late on, was shown a red card after the final whistle.

“He wasn’t on the pitch. Maybe you get sent off because you get a second yellow card to stop someone running through on goal, not when you are on the bench. I am really not happy about that,” Henry told broadcaster France 3.

Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez missed chances for Javier Mascherano’s Argentina, and the exit of the two-time gold medallists means the winner of men’s football gold will not come from Latin America for the first time since Cameroon triumphed in Sydney in 2000.

France could have won by a wider margin, but Olise had a late second goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

– Spain and Morocco march on –

They will now be heavy favourites to win a semi-final in Lyon on Monday against Egypt, who beat Paraguay 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Marseille.

Ibrahim Adel was Egypt’s hero, scoring a late equaliser in normal time and then converting the winning penalty in the shoot-out, in which Paraguay’s Marcelo Perez was the only player to fail to score.

Earlier a brilliant brace by Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez helped fire Spain to a 3-0 win over Japan in Lyon.

Lopez, a member of Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad, blasted in the opener from range in the 11th minute.

The Barcelona midfielder struck again on 73 minutes with another goal of the highest quality as he controlled a Sergio Gomez corner before volleying in from the edge of the box.

Captain Abel Ruiz wrapped up the win for Spain, Olympic champions in 1992 and silver medallists three years ago in Tokyo.

Spain go through to a last-four clash in Marseille with Morocco, who outclassed the United States, winning 4-0 in Paris.

Soufiane Rahimi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box just before the half-hour mark.

That was a fifth goal in four games for the tournament’s top scorer.

Morocco doubled their lead on 63 minutes when Abde Ezzalzouli set up Ilias Akhomach to finish at the near post.

Captain Achraf Hakimi, playing on his Paris Saint-Germain home ground, ran through to make it 3-0 and substitute Mehdi Maouhoub added another penalty in stoppage time.

“If we keep playing like this we will deserve to be in the final,” said Akhomach.

“Other countries might be talked about more than us but we know what we want. We came here to win.”

The Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday, urged protesters to continue with the #EndBadGovernance protests nationwide.

This comes after Human Rights Lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, asked youths to immediately suspend the demonstrations.

Adegboruwa is one of the lawyers of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups participating in the nationwide protests.

He regretted deaths and losses recorded during the demonstrations, saying it was not the goal of the protests.

Adegboruwa said, “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw themselves from their various protest grounds and to suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely, in order to give room for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government.”

Reacting, Sowore, in a statement on his X page (formerly Twitter), said, “Good day fellow conscious citizens.

“Thank you all for staying the course in the last 24 hours since the commencement of the #endbadgovernaceinnigeria REVOLT.

“Note: the daily barricades, marches, rallies and people’s congresses should be intensified.

“We want to notify the public that in addition to street marches, those at home should engage in pot & pan protests against hunger, poverty and starvation.

“Grab your pots& pans now and start banging them on your streets; take them with you to the roadside.

“Bang, bang, bang! #revolutions are “the festivals of the oppressed and the exploited!”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has told President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians over the protests by citizens against bad governance and harsh economic conditions.

Obi, in a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, said Tinubu is the one people elected, not his aides, so he should be the one to address Nigerians at such a critical time.

He said the President’s address would douse the tension in the country generated by the protest.

The former Governor was quoted to have made the call from his home in Onitsha, Anambra State.

“My appeal is for the President to come out and address the nation, he is the one the people elected, holding their mandate, and he should not be using aides or appointees to reach the people at such critical times,” Obi said.

Obi also denied reports of him being in Abuja to support the protesters, noting that he can’t be in two places at a time.

“I am here in Onitsha; I can’t be here and be in Abuja,” Obi said.

The former LP candidate also called on the protesters to avoid violence and ensure their demands are pursued within the limits of the law.

For those who died in the course of the protest, Obi extended his condolences to the families. He also expressed sympathy to those who got injured and those who lost their property in the protest.

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT has dismissed the allegation that she sponsored protest in Abuja. 

Yesterday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike, said that security agencies in the territory have identified a senator as one of those sponsoring the anti-government protest. 

Wike disclosed this shortly after an emergency FCT security Council meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The unnamed Senator was said to be supplying the protesters incentives such as food and water.

However, Senator Kingibe has said that the video being misrepresented was recorded six weeks ago during the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protests at the National headquarters of the LP in Abuja.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Kennedy Mbele, Senator Kingibe said, “I am shocked and outraged by the blatant lies and misinformation being spread by mischief-makers! The video being circulated is from over six weeks ago, during a Labour Party NWC meeting, when the NLC was protesting outside the Labour Party office.

“As stakeholders, including Senators, House of Reps members, and Mr. Peter Obi, we went out to engage with the protesters and address their concerns. Now, these deceitful individuals are trying to pass off this old footage as current, claiming that Mr.@PeterObi and I are leading protests in Abuja yesterday.

“This is a malicious and desperate attempt to discredit us. Let me set the record straight: Mr. Peter Obi is not in Abuja, and I haven’t left my house since Wednesday due to illness, much less distributed food and water at the protest grounds, though that would be noble for whoever did.

 “I condemn this orchestrated attempt to spread falsehoods and cause confusion, using it as the basis to claim I sponsored the Abuja protest. It is a shameless and irresponsible act that will not be tolerated. We will not stand idly by while our names and reputations are dragged through the mud by these unscrupulous individuals”

“Recall that Mr. Peter Obi had in a statement explained that he was in his State, Anambra yesterday and as such, cannot be in Abuja and Anambra State simultaneously.

We therefore urge the general public to ignore the malicious video as our amiable Senator has made her position on the #endbadgovernance protest clear, in her most recent interview with Channels Television.”

Senator Shehu Sani who represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly, has urged protesters to discontinue the nationwide protest to save lives and properties of citizens. 

Reacting to what he described as unfortunate development , Senator Sani, in a tweet on X said the situation where hoodlums have hijacked the protest was unacceptable. 

He expressed disappointment over the manner hoodlums hijacked the protest and destroyed properties of innocent citizens in Kaduna; Kano and other parts of the country on day-one of the protest, and advised those willing to encourage continuation of the protest, especially in the North to reconsider their stand based on the potential danger ahead.

“With scores dead,hundreds injured and properties worth billions of Naira belonging to private businesses and government destroyed by hoodlums,mostly in Northern states,those wishing to encourage the continuation of this protest,especially in the North should reconsider.At our end its violent protest without visible leadership and must be discontinued.”

He said the protest is a constitutional right of Nigerians, but should be peaceful and without any threat to life and property and commended the proactiveness of the security agencies in the state for their quick intervention.

Senator  Shehu Sani pointed out curious patterns in protest participation, raising questions about the motivations and historical consistencies of different regions , with his comments sparking  discussions about the complex interplay of regional politics, economic concerns and public demonstrations in Nigeria.

Speaking further about the current situation,he noted the apparent absence of protests in the South East, despite what he perceived  as support for the cause among many South Easterners. “This observation highlights the complex political landscape of the region and raises questions about the factors influencing public demonstrations there.”

However,Senator Sani commended Governor  Uba Sani for” the proactive measures taken so far to calm raging nerves in the state, adding that dialogue and consultation are two instrument that have always helped in any crisis situation.”

The leaders of the nationwide protest against bad governance held in Katsina State, have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to Vanguard, Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, the two leaders of the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were invited to the DSS office in Katsina and subsequently detained.

Similarly, Mujittapha Usman, who reportedly led the protest in Malumfashi Local Government Area was also arrested by the security forces.

Some friends of the detainees who disclosed the development to the local media said the DSS contacted the duo by phone earlier in the morning.

They requested their presence at their office to answer questions about the previous day’s protest.

However, upon arriving at the Katsina DSS headquarters, they were detained and are yet to be released as of the time of filing this report, the source stated.

The initial peaceful protest was disrupted when a disorderly mob, including many minors, converged on streets in the state capital, wielding sticks and leaves.

They chanted “Bamuyi Bamuyi” as they go about destroying public facilities.

Primarily, the protesters burnt down one NSCDC patrol vehicle in the state capital and razed down the ruling All Progressives Congress office in Dutsinma LGA.

Consequently, the Katsina State Government, Friday morning, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the remaining 34 LGAs of the state.

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has appealed to protesters across the country to be patient with the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The Governor said the leaders of the country have heard the grievances of the protesters, and a lot more would be done to strengthen the economy and relieve the citizens.

Naija News reports Governor Abdulrazaq stated this on Friday shortly after observing the Jum’ah prayer in GRA, Ilorin, the state capital, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

While appreciating the people of Kwara State for remaining calm, the Kwara State Governor assured that President Tinubu is working to deliver more interventions to the citizens of the country.

“We have heard you, and a lot more will be done to strengthen the economy and ensure the welfare of the people. I urge all of you to please be patient with the President,” he said.

“The government appreciates the position of the people of Kwara State on this development. As a government, we have listened, and we have heard you clearly. The President is working on multiple interventions and palliatives to ease the burden.

“I appeal that we give the President more time and things will be resolved. I am glad that the people of Kwara state have decided to do just that. We continue to engage stakeholders and religious bodies, and they graciously understand, and they are patient. I can assure them that the President is working and very soon things will improve for good.

“Things like the student loan and all sorts of programmes are already going on. The Credicorp facility is also ongoing, among others. I just urge patience and patience. To those who are angry: Yes, we feel your anger, but the most important thing is to say that this is a listening government. We’ve heard (you) and the right thing will be done,” he added.