Nigerians have criticized Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress candidate for the 2023 presidential election, for insisting that hunger protests continue on Monday. This reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Sunday appeal to suspend the protests and engage in dialogue with the government on the nation’s challenges.
President Tinubu urged protesters to halt their demonstrations, assuring that his administration’s efforts “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.” Nigerians have been protesting against economic hardship and spiraling inflation since August 1.
Despite Tinubu’s appeal, some protesters gathered at Freedom Park in Lagos early Sunday. However, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, Jibril Gawat, announced on his X account that protest leaders in Ojota had agreed to suspend their demonstrations following Tinubu’s speech. Gawat stated: “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, Sowore, who is currently abroad, insisted the protests would resume on Monday, providing 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 centers. However, all groups are advised to march towards Ojota before processions to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.”
Some Nigerians took to social media to criticize Sowore for his stance:
@EleluAyoola: “Sowore, come to Nigeria and lead the protest. That is how to know if you mean well for us.”
@realaspirin: ”Since Monday, you never buy tickets fly go 9ja. You just dey rant online.”
@rhaymoni: ”No be Cho Cho Cho… Come to Nigeria and show working.”
@Bellotec: “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: “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.”
The ongoing debates highlight the growing tension and dissatisfaction among Nigerians amidst economic challenges, and the diverse opinions on how best to address these issues.