Live Update:

Nigerians have poured into the streets in major cities across the nation to protest against economic hardship despite the government’s last-minute push to prevent the demonstration.

Inflation has reached 34 per cent owing majorly to the twin policies of subsidy removal and floating of the naira. That has pushed the cost of basic items beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians.

Talks about the demonstration tagged #EndBadGovernance protest had gained momentum on social media, leading discussions among young Nigerians on digital platforms.

Authorities across the country had in the wake of calls for the protest rallied around to halt it.

They warned that they might be hijacked by criminals. While they admitted to the challenges facing the nation, they urged the organisers to shelve the protest and give the government more time to address the issues raised.

But undeterred, the Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the protest said it was not going back on the rallies.

Some of the demands of the protesters include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime.

They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power.

Other are immediate reforms of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.

07: 00am: President Bola Tinubu addresses Nigerians after three days nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

Welcome to our Day 4 coverage of the #EndBadGovernance protest.

10: 43pm: Kano Government relaxes curfew by six hours.

10: 41 pm: A violent clash between security operatives and protesters defying a government-imposed curfew left several people feared dead and many others injured in Kano.

08: 15pm: The dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following the violent aftermath of the protests has been lifted.

08: 00pm: The FCT Police Command in response to a video footage making the rounds alleging the killing of a yet-to-be identified teenager by police operatives in Kubwa while protesting on August 3rd, 2024, has denied the allegation stating that policemen are not responsible for the killing of the teenager.

06: 00 pm: President Bola Tinubu succumbed to growing calls for him to address the nation amid widespread #EndBadGovernance protests that entered its third day on Saturday.

The ex-Lagos governor who has been at the centre of rallies against economic hardship and high living cost that have reverberated across Nigeria’s 36 states and the nation’s capital Abuja will address over 200 million citizens on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am, his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.

03:55 pm: ‘Encourage local production in large quantities,’ protester in Benin, Edo State airs grievance.

03:33 pm: Jigawa government lifts curfew, arrests over 200 suspected looters.

05:07 pm: The police are monitoring the security situation with a helicopter as the crowd increases in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Residents who did not join the procession show solidarity with protesters.

02:23 pm: Protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, briefly obstructed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that he comes down to address them.

01:15 pm: In Port Harcourt, the protesters were entertained by artist Sky B around the Rumuobiakani roundabout.

Most of the demonstrators are using palm fronds or just any green leaves. That is even noticeable with motorists.

12: 49 pm: As the #EndBadGovernance protest enters Day 3, some traders in markets within the Port Harcourt metropolis have lamented a hike in prices of foodstuff due to increased transportation.

Meanwhile, life is normal in the city even as the protesters are resolute to persist in their demands.

11: 50 am: The police have arrived at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja and have dispersed the protesters with tear gas.

10:45 am: A few protesters have gathered at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The crowd is far smaller than Friday’s. However, these few demonstrators have vowed to continue with the protest.

10:13 am: In Benin City, Edo State, protesters are now in the Ring Road area of the state. It’s a carnival-like scenario in the heart of the capital.

09:09 am: In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, protesters are also sprinkling in at the Pleasure Park on Day 3 of the demonstrations.

08:51 am: Only a handful of protesters are in the Ojota area of Lagos State. Security operatives are also on the ground.

08:13 am: Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, has lifted the curfew imposed in the aftermath of the Kaworu bomb blast that resulted in the deaths of 16 people and left several others critically injured.

07:50 am: The Taraba State government says it is opening a safe protest situation room.

06:33 am: Gov. Eno Commends Akwa Ibom Youths, Announces Monthly Support Programme.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended youths of the State for distancing themselves from the nationwide protest thereby maintaining the peaceful ambiance of the state throughout the day.

In reciprocity of the gesture, the Governor disclosed plans by his administration to launch a social welfare programme that will provide monthly support for about 5,000 youths in the state.