Protesters defy police, march against President for 3rd day

Protesters trooped out in greater numbers in Abuja on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, to continue their agitation for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation in London.

The sit-out protest against the absentee president started on Monday, August 7, as the "Our Mumu Don Do" movement led by entertainer and activist Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), marched from Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory down to the Presidential Villa.

On Tuesday, the group, alongside "Concerned Nigerians" group, led by former social media director of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Deji Adeyanju, were attacked by the police when officers fired gas canisters and water cannons to dismiss them.

A protester was injured and had to be rushed to the Federal Staff Clinic Federal Secretariat, while Charly Boy also fainted due to the attack.

Despite Tuesday's setback, the group marched again in Abuja on Wednesday with renewed strength in numbers.

ALSO READ: Police attack protesters against President with teargas, water cannons

Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, and Bring Back our Girls co-founder, Aisha Yesufu, were some of the famous faces present at Wednesday's outing at the Unity Fountain where protesters were attacked the previous day.

While speaking at the protest, Jim Iyke said, "We are gathered here this morning to say enough is enough. It is a simple thing. Our mantra is one, our decision is one. Unequivocally, we are saying that the president will either resign or resume.

"It is natural when you get old, you get sick. It is the natural cycle of life. So, when you get old, you shift, it is a very simple thing. Let a young man take over. The mantle of leadership is for the young."

The protesters' full demands are: "that the president either personally or through his aides make the true detail of his health known to all Nigerians; that president should address all Nigerians in a language we can all understand on the true state of his health and other national issues; that he returns to the country and resume work as president of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to lead us out economic and security quagmire we have been pushed into as a nation; if President Buhari fails, refuses and/ or neglect to do any of the above , then he should resign from office; if he fails to honourably resign, then he should be impeached from office by the national assembly."

ALSO READ: Protesters demand President's return or resignation

President Buhari left the country on May 7 to resume treatment in London for an undisclosed illness, leaving Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in charge of the country's affairs.

77 days after he left the country, pictures of President Buhari finally surfaced online when he met with state governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 23, at the Abuja House in London.

Since then, he has met with another delegation of Nigerian governors, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari travelled to London to meet the president on Sunday, August 6, ahead of what is considered to be his return.

The president and his team have insisted that his return is imminent, but there has been no confirmed date.