Despite the pullout by its chief covener, 2Face Idibia, the coalition of civil society organizations under the umbrella of One Voice Nigeria on Monday proceeded with the planned protest.
The protest, which was initiated by the hip-hop artiste for Monday over purported bad governance was cancelled by him late on Saturday.
Tuface has however denied being arrested and detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, over his earlier planned anti-government’s protests in Lagos and Abuja.
The award-winning musician, in a tweet on Monday, expressed gratitude to those who have shown concern over the purported arrest.
The tweets read, “Thanks for the concern, guys. I am fine and free.
“Reports about DSS arrest are not true. We are still compiling responses for the leadership.
“State your opinion on the social media with the #IStandWithNigeria. Peace! One luv always!!!”
Meanwhile, a co-convener of the group, Ezenwa Nwagwu, explained that the protest is an aggregation of the groanings of the Nigerian people under the present economic challenges in the country.
He said the protest is a formal appeal to all elected officials in Nigeria to rise to the challenges of their respective offices and find a lasting solution to the hardship faced by Nigerians.
The protest, which is to demand good governance and an urgent explanation for the country’s economic downturn, kicked off simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt.
In Abuja, the anti-government protesters took their protest to the entrance of the presidential villa, but were prevented from gaining access into Aso Rock by security personnel.
Led by co-convener of Bring Back Our Girls movement, Aisha Yesufu, and former chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odikalu,
the protesters chanted anti-government songs, lamenting that “there is hardship in the land”.
Speaking at the entrance of the villa, Odinkalu said the current leaders have failed.
“Our leaders have failed us. They are not keeping their election promises. Enough is enough!”
“We are asking the government to fix energy, fight corruption. Those are our demands.”
