The #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled from August 1 to August 10 has lost steam in Nigeria’s capital city.
Authorities had obtained a court injunction restricting protesters to MKO Abiola National Stadium, denying them access to Eagle Square.
On the first day, protesters were dispersed with teargas at Eagle Square after resisting for hours. Security forces struggled to control groups blocking roads and lighting bonfires, while the protest proceeded peacefully at the stadium.
On the third day, no protesters were seen at the stadium when our correspondents went round. Policemen and journalists stood observing the empty scene. A policeman mocked the protesters, saying they had “gone for the weekend.”
When contacted, an organiser claimed they were at Berger Roundabout, but no protesters were found there. Later, he said they were holding a strategic meeting inside the stadium.
A video posted on social media showed few people dancing, with a caption stating that protesters were gathering in numbers. It is unclear when the video, which featured organiser Deji Adeyanju, was recorded, as current photos and videos from the stadium showed no protesters.
