It appears the #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is gradually losing momentum after the President Bola Tinubu-led government sustained its crackdown on protesters.

The protest, which began on Thursday, August 1, had large demonstrators in parts of the city namely the National Stadium, Berger, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and Nyanya axis of the city on the first and second days.

Following increasing attacks on the demonstrators and journalists by security operatives who use canisters to disperse them, the protest has continued to ebb.

The ICIR crew moved around the city on the fifth day of the protest and could not see protesters in locations where the protests had taken place in the first three days, including the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Unity Fountain, Eagle Square, Berger and Area 1.

The locations were filled with a heavy presence of security operatives.

People were seen going about their normal businesses and other regular activities, unlike the previous days when everywhere was deserted or filled with protesters.

However, reports indicate that protesters were tear-gassed in the Karu area of the city on Day 5.

While the protest failed to hold, most motorists hung tree branches on their dashboards in solidarity with the protest and to avoid attack from angry protesters.

The northern part of the country continues to see demonstrators on the streets as more state governors impose curfews.

This is coming a day after President Tinubu’s speech to the nation, urging Nigerians to suspend the protest and engage in dialogue.

The President boasted of some strides his administration had made in reforming Nigeria’s economy, despite the hardships many citizens continue to face.

He added that the violent protests that erupted in many states would only set the country backwards and make the government use scarce resources for rebuilding rather than improve on things that already exist.

“As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart

“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity,” he said.

The ICIR reports that the President’s speech has attracted reactions from Nigerians, including former Vice Presidential candidate Peter Obi, who expressed disappointment over the address, noting that it’s disconnected from the harsh realities faced by Nigerians.

He lamented the lack of empathy towards those injured, arrested, and detained during the protests, citing the approach of security forces as a great concern.

He added that the President should address urgent priorities such as reducing governance costs, combating corruption, tackling the high cost of living, and effectively allocating resources to critical sectors like health, education, and poverty alleviation.

The ICIR reported that insecurity, inflation and a hike in the cost of living, among others, pushed many Nigerians to stage the protest.

Tinubu had stopped fuel subsidy and devalued the naira, thus causing a spiral hike in food and commodity prices.