#EndBadGovernance: West Africa Weekly, FIJ Reporters Reject N50,000 Bribe From Pro-government Individuals To Write Pro-government Stories, Others Accept

West Africa Weekly and FIJNigeria reporters at Lekki Toll Plaza rejected 50,000 naira bribes to write pro-government stories, while other reporters also present at the #EndBadGovernace protest venue accepted the offer.

A report from our correspondent, Mayowa Durosinmi, revealed that an unnamed pro-government individual wearing a brown native outfit made the offer to reporters covering the protest on Thursday.

The unnamed man came with a woman who identified as Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu, the Chairperson of  Iru-Victoria Island, Local Council Development Area.

When asked about their presence at the protest, Adu addressed the media, claiming they were on a mission to sensitise and ensure that citizens could go about their daily activities without fear of harassment from peaceful protesters.

She acknowledged that protesters have the right to exercise their constitutional rights to protest; however, it becomes illegal when it escalates into violence.

In her words:

We are aware of the protests starting today, August 1st. Protest is our constitutional right. We have the right as citizens to protest, but when it comes to violence, I think that is what we call stropping destructively. And we don’t want any of our properties, the government property, and shops looted, snatching of goods, and all criminal activities under the pretext of a protest. That is when we see it as illegal.

Regarding the protesters’ grievances, Adu urged patience, stating that those who have come out to agitate for better governance and an end to hunger should be tolerant and endure.

She highlighted that President Bola Tinubu has implemented policies for progress, including the autonomy of local governments and the increment of the minimum wage to 70,000 naira.

“What is the reason for this protest? We all should go back and mobilise to build this nation, and not to mobilise to destroy the country,” Adu said.

She also revealed that she and her men have been on the ground, visiting various locations, including the Lekki Toll Gate and Bridge.

Reflecting on Tinubu’s one year in office, West Africa Weekly earlier reported that it had been one marked by pain and disappointment due to economic hardships exacerbated by the government’s disastrous twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows, imposition of multiple insensitive taxes, surging food prices, a depreciating value of the naira, and escalating insecurity.

While this is not the first time hungry Nigerian youths have come out to express their grievances since Tinubu took over as president, the ongoing protest against bad governance continues to draw attention, with citizens demanding better conditions and more accountability from their leaders.

In solidarity with the protesters, the actions of the reporters rejecting the bribe show the integrity and determination of independent Nigerian media platforms like West Africa Weekly to report the truth.

Read More:

• #EndBadGovernance Protesters Attacked in Effurun, Delta State
• Police Fires Teargas At Peaceful Protesters in Bauchi

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