LAGOS – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to those planning an ‘End Bad Government’ protest in Lagos State to reconsider their plans and opt for dialogue with the government to address their concerns.
During a 20-minute address at the Governor’s Office in Alausa on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that protests are unnecessary given the government’s extensive efforts across various sectors to ease citizens’ hardships and promote sustainable prosperity.
While acknowledging that peaceful protests are a constitutional right and recognizing the “noble intentions” of the protesters, Sanwo-Olu issued a stern warning against those who might exploit the demonstration for nefarious purposes.
He noted that the state government had obtained and would enforce a court order restricting the protest to Peace Park and Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota. He urged protesters to comply with the order and limit their activities to these designated areas.
Sanwo-Olu questioned the effectiveness of the protest, asking if it would resolve the nation’s challenges within ten days or lead to economic improvements. He argued that the protest would not yield the desired outcomes but instead hinder the progress made in various socio-economic areas.
“For weeks now, the nation has faced threats of protests aimed at ending bad governance. While the original proponents may have noble intentions, the narrative that this protest could change the government outside constitutional means is troubling,” Sanwo-Olu said. “A protest now will not solve our problems but will instead undo the progress we’ve made.”
He highlighted recent government actions, such as the new Minimum Wage Bill signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the student loan program to ease financial burdens on families, and the granting of financial autonomy to local governments to enhance grassroots governance.
Sanwo-Olu urged patience, stressing that economic reforms take time to bear fruit. He outlined several state-level initiatives aimed at mitigating hardship, including EKOCARES, which offers a 25 percent discount on basic foodstuffs through Sunday Discount Markets, and ‘Ounje Eko,’ providing relief to vulnerable households. He also mentioned the state’s monthly expenditure of N2 billion to reduce transportation costs by 25 percent and free delivery services in public health facilities.
“To support our tertiary students, we’ve increased bursary and scholarship awards, and new elementary school entrants do not pay any fees. Our lowest-paid workers have been earning more than the national minimum wage since the beginning of the year,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu warned protest organizers not to allow their lawful intentions to be hijacked by those seeking to incite violence, recalling the destructive aftermath of the 2020 EndSARS protest. He condemned the spread of false information and urged citizens to work together to build a peaceful and prosperous Lagos.
“Our strength lies in our unity. We must maintain peace and stability to achieve meaningful change. Let’s show the world that Lagos remains resilient and that the voices of its people are heard through peaceful and lawful means,” Sanwo-Olu concluded.