Several hundreds of young Nigerians, comprising professionals, artists, and students, engaged in a peaceful march in the blazing Lagos sun for about two hours to the Lagos State Governor's Office in Alausa. They were marching under the aegis of Enough is Enough Nigeria.

Amongst the many protesters, led by president of the Campaign for Democracy, Joe Okei-Odumakin, were popular singers like Banky W, Eldee, Sound Sultan, Timi Dakolo, the Roof top MCs, actor Rita Dominic and comedian Ali Baba.

Informal sources said the governor was in the Acting President's entourage to high-powered meetings in Washington DC, USA. However, the governor did not designate a representative – even though the protesters showed a letter received and signed by his Chief of Staff as proof of ample notice. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Yomi Ikuforiji, tried to come out to address the crowd, but they had lost their patience and the organisers declared the rally closed.

The march, which began at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Open Field, went through Obafemi Awolowo Road and terminated at the gate of the Governor's Office.

The Lagos heat did not deter the marchers, who turned to the many vendors selling fluid to quench their thirst. The crowd, which had most wearing white t-shirts with inscriptions, attracted many on-lookers, many of whom voiced support for their cause.

A considerable contingent of police officers was on hand to ease traffic issues and quell any potential disturbance. This is a reversal of what transpired a month ago when gun-carrying police officers barred the same youth group at the main gate of the National Assembly in Abuja and prevented them from seeing the leadership of the Assembly. That incident resulted in a scuffle.

The Enough is Enough group is a coalition of youth groups who are demanding for a change and insisting that young Nigerians take more ownership of the voting process

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By Gbenga Olorunpomi