Day 3 of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Osogbo, Osun State capital, went smoothly on Saturday, with a decline in the number of people and dwindling momentum among the protesters.
Just like the first two days, the procession kicked off from Freedom Park with the company of security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Officials, and Amotekun operatives.
The protesters, chanting anti-government songs, marched from Old-Garage, Okefia, Capital Road, and Dada Estate to Dele-Yessir, where the procession terminated.
They expressed their frustrations and determination to end injustice caused by the government at the state and federal levels.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, the Coordinator, Concerned Nigerian Citizens, and Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Osun State, Adetunji Ajala, reiterated the resolve of the youths not to back out until their demands are met.
READ: Day 3: Low Turnout As #EndBadGovernance Protesters Storm Lagos
“We are fighting for the masses, and we are not backing out for any reason. It is a peaceful protest in Osun State, as you can see, that is what we stand for. As a matter of fact, our people have been cooperating, the security agents have been cooperating, and until Tinubu answers our calls, we are not going to back off.
“We are expecting the Governor of Osun State at our barricade; we want to see him. If truly Governor Adeleke is the governor of the people, he should address us because some of our demands concern the state.
On the low turnout of protesters, Ajala declared that the protest would continue for 10 days regardless of the number, noting that “if it is five people, we will continue, no retreat, no surrender that is what we have signed into.
“We have signed to advocate an end to bad governance and for our voice to be heard. Even if the 10 days elapsed and Tinubu didn’t yield to our demands, we would take other measures.
“When we are on protest ground like this, many people always join on the road, but we just want to encourage others to join the movement because this is a movement for the masses,” he said.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
