The nationwide protests against bad governance appeared to have ended on Sunday, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's broadcast. The few people who gathered at the Freedom Park in Lagos early in the day dispersed after the President's address, which seemed to have a calming effect on the demonstrators.
Lagos
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja was deserted, and the popular Ring Road in Benin, the center of the protest since Thursday, was cleared. In his 25-minute address to the nation, President Tinubu urged the protesting youths to call off their three-day-old action, saying he had heard their grievances "loud and clear."
Shortly after the broadcast, a disagreement broke out among the demonstrators at the Freedom Park in Lagos. One protest leader suggested shelving the protest until October 1 to give the President more time to evaluate the situation and take further action. However, others argued that the President did not adequately address their demands. Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Okafor appealed to the protesters to disperse, which they eventually did, although security agents remained on standby.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced new channels of engagement with the youth, directing the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Ministry of Information and Strategy, and the Office of Civic Engagement to open wider channels of communication with various stakeholders, including the protest leaders.
Abuja
Reporters observed that normalcy had returned to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, designated by a court as the protest area, was empty by 4 p.m. Security operatives were stationed at the venue to maintain law and order, and a helicopter hovered over the FCT for most of the day. Roads were largely empty, likely because it was a Sunday. Security personnel were stationed at major intersections and around the Presidential Villa to ensure peace.
Benin
In Edo State, protesters suspended their action after the President's speech. The podium at Ring Road near the palace of the Oba of Benin was removed, and barricades on major roads were cleared, allowing for free vehicular and pedestrian movement. Policemen remained on standby to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Other Locations
In Osun and Plateau states, protesters held church services at the protest venues. At the Olaiya Bridge in Osogbo, leaders collected offerings from demonstrators to fund logistics for the protest, which they planned to continue. Emmanuel Olowu, secretary of the state's Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, led the service, emphasizing the importance of good leadership and governance.
Calls for Caution and Continued Engagement
Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka called on security agents to handle the protests tactically to avoid further fatalities. He cautioned against using excessive force, such as tear gas, on peaceful protesters and emphasized the need for governance to recognize public desperation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the peaceful conduct of Lagosians and the professional behavior of security agencies. He urged residents to remain vigilant against fake news and efforts to divide them.
The protests have largely wound down following President Tinubu's address, with a return to normalcy in many parts of the country. However, the dialogue between the government and the youth is set to continue, with channels of engagement being opened to address the issues raised by the protesters.
