#EndBadGovernance Movement Defies Police, Vows To Stage Peaceful Protest In Lagos On Democracy Day.
The Lagos chapter of the #EndBadGovernance Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to holding a peaceful protest on Democracy Day, 12 June 2025, despite alleged attempts by the Lagos State Police Command to disrupt plans through scheduling conflicts. The protest, set to commence at 7:30 a.m. at Ikeja Underbridge, aims to highlight Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, soaring cost of living, and perceived erosion of civil liberties under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which began in May 2023.
In a statement signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Oloye Adeniji-Adegboyega on behalf of the movement’s Organising Committee, the group called on workers, artisans, students, market traders, commercial motorcyclists, and other Nigerians to join the procession. The movement described the protest as a response to “the absence of genuine democracy in Nigeria” and the “hunger, hardship, and gross inequality” that have intensified over the past two years. The group urged participants to bring empty pans to symbolise the widespread hunger gripping the nation.
Tensions arose when the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, invited protest organisers for a security meeting on Tuesday, 10 June, at the Police State Command Headquarters in Ikeja. The organisers, accompanied by their lawyers, arrived for the 11 a.m. meeting, only to learn that the Commissioner had left to provide security for President Tinubu’s motorcade in Oshodi. After waiting for an hour, the group agreed with police subordinates that any rescheduled meeting would be held via Zoom. However, the Commissioner later proposed a physical meeting on Wednesday, 11 June, at 4 p.m., which the movement rejected as a violation of their agreement.
“We are not opposed to meeting with the Commissioner to discuss modalities for police protection, as enshrined in the constitution,” said Soweto. “But the rescheduled meeting must be via Zoom, as agreed. The protest will go ahead regardless of any attempts at intimidation.”
Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed ongoing engagements with the organisers, emphasising the police’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful protest. “We are meeting with them to ensure the demonstration remains orderly and is not hijacked by miscreants,” Hundeyin stated on Wednesday. He stressed that the police aim to protect lives and property while respecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The choice of 12 June, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, carries deep symbolic weight, commemorating the annulled 1993 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Abiola, which sparked nationwide protests against military rule. “June 12 stands for resistance,” the movement’s statement noted, drawing parallels to the current struggle against economic policies backed by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which the group claims have deepened poverty.
The #EndBadGovernance Movement has garnered support from civil society and labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, which has staged protests over the government’s economic policies. Social media reactions on X reflect public frustration, with users praising the movement’s resolve to demand accountability. “It’s time Nigerians stand up to bad governance,” one user posted, echoing the sentiment of many.
The protest follows a history of demonstrations in Nigeria, including the #EndSARS movement in 2020, which saw violent crackdowns. The #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024 also faced police repression, with Amnesty International reporting at least 24 deaths nationwide. Organisers have stressed that Thursday’s protest will remain peaceful, urging security forces to uphold their duty to protect demonstrators.
As Lagos braces for the event, authorities have been urged to avoid repeating past mistakes. The U.S. Embassy issued an alert noting potential traffic disruptions and a heavy police presence around Ikeja, Lekki Tollgate, and other areas, advising citizens to avoid protest zones. With the nation watching, the #EndBadGovernance Movement’s determination signals a growing demand for change, offering hope that peaceful advocacy can pave the way for a fairer Nigeria.
