Nigerians have criticized Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), for insisting that the ongoing “hunger protests” against economic hardship and inflation continue on Monday, August 7, 2024.
The protests, which began on August 1, have turned violent in some northern states, with security operatives dispersing protesters using tear gas in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.
Sowore has called on protesters to march towards Ojota before proceeding to Alausa, the Lagos state secretariat.
However, on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu addressed Nigerians amid the protests, urging the protesters to suspend their demonstrations and assuring them that the efforts of his administration “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy”.
The criticism of Sowore comes as the protests have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people, with firms and others counting huge losses.
The Civil Society Situation Room reported that two protesters were shot dead by security agents at the Kaduna State Government House, and six in Niger.