Some Nigerians have criticized Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress candidate for the 2023 presidential election, for insisting that the hunger protests continue on Monday.
This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appeal on Sunday for Nigerians to suspend the protests and engage in dialogue with the government on the nation’s challenges.
Tinubu urged the protesters to pause their demonstrations, assuring them that the efforts of his administration “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.” Since August 1, Nigerians have been protesting against economic hardship and rising inflation.
Following Tinubu’s appeal, few people gathered at Freedom Park in Lagos early on Sunday, and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja was also deserted.
On Sunday, Jibril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, announced on his X account that protest leaders in Ojota had decided to suspend the demonstration after Tinubu’s speech. He wrote: “BREAKING NEWS: Protest leaders at Ojota have called off their demonstrations after the President’s broadcast this morning. They told the police they would leave the protest ground and disperse.”
In response to Gawat’s post, Sowore, who is not currently in Nigeria, insisted that the protests continue on Monday, adding details of demonstration locations. He stated: “Please be aware that the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria action will resume fully tomorrow across Nigeria and in several parts of Lagos—Lekki Toll Gate, Alausa Secretariat, former Lagos Toll Gate, Ketu, LASU Gate, Abule Egba, FESTAC Town, and several other centres. However, all groups are advised to march towards Ojota before processions to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.”
This recent call by Sowore has sparked backlash from some Nigerians.
@EleluAyoola wrote: “Sowore, come to Nigeria and lead the protest. That is how to know if you mean well for us.”
@realaspirin said: “Since Monday, you never buy tickets fly go 9ja. You just dey rant online.”
@rhaymoni demanded: “No be Cho Cho Cho… Come to Nigeria and show working.”
@Bellotec stated: “If you like, listen to him, you will just die and die for nothing. Those who were killed yesterday in the Kurna/Bacirawa axis of Kano died for nothing, nothing will change, and nobody will be prosecuted, only leaving their family to grieve. If you like, no listen, you won’t rest in peace sha.”
@bolajiayo asked: “Why don’t you come with your children and lead the protest? Why instigate other people’s children to go out and protest? What happened to your children? Abi they are not patriotic Nigerians?”
@computizzy1: “Nah, bro. People are going back to work tomorrow. This shit ain’t working and they’re tired of it. You gonna have to fly down from the US to come run it yourself. You can still get flights from EWR or JFK that’ll get you to Lagos tomorrow morning.”
