Despite the efforts by the Nigerian government to appeal to the citizens to shelve the planned protests in the country, Lagos and some other southwest states played host to thousands of protesters who demonstrated against hunger and hardship in the country. The protests, led largely by young people, were largely peaceful though many people who
Despite the efforts by the Nigerian government to appeal to the citizens to shelve the planned protests in the country, Lagos and some other southwest states played host to thousands of protesters who demonstrated against hunger and hardship in the country.
The protests, led largely by young people, were largely peaceful though many people who were unsure of what may happen on the streets stayed back at home making many streets deserted. The youth say they are frustrated by the country’s economic conditions and took to the streets with a demand for an end to bad governance.
There was a heavy presence of security agencies at some critical parts named as venues for the protests to prevent breaking down of law and order as required by the law. Also, security was noticed in some parts of Lagos and other states within the southwest region of the country.
This also led to the closing of activities and businesses such as banks and some markets in Lagos State as residents stayed indoors for fear that the protest might escalate into violence.
However, the demonstrators took to the streets from under the bridge in Ikeja to Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, defying the efforts of the government. Also, the protests took place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and Osogbo the capital of Osun State. Protesters were observed holding various banners and placards with messages such as “We are hungry,” “Endbadgovernance,” and “Reverse all antipeople policies.”.
Highlighting the demands from the government, the protesters called for a reversal in the fuel subsidy, reversal of electricity tariff hike, reversal of students’ loans, cutting of cost of government, and immediate cut of payments of government officials among other itemised demands.
Speaking about the purpose of the protests, Juwon Sanyaolu, the national coordinator of the Take it Back movement, stated that the government must be held accountable as required by the constitution and that their demonstrations were intended to end anti-people policies and the nation’s ongoing economic hardship.
He also called on the government to refrain from intimidating Nigerians from exercising their civic duties, instead, the government should listen to people’s demands for immediate implementation, adding and meeting the demands of the Nigerians.
“Our demands are simple and direct. The government of President Tinubu has put Nigerians in economic hardship since his first day in office when he removed the fuel subsidy, which led to a high cost of living in the country. The increase in electricity tariffs and the consideration of student loans, which are not sustainable, are leading to the high cost of education in the country.
Protesters on the Street Lagos
“We want him to reverse all these policies and make Nigeria work again. We are ready to hold the government accountable for our demand for good governance that will work for all Nigerians. We do not want the poor to continue to suffer while they can’t even care about us.
Also in his reaction, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, stated the protest was slated for ten days and all Nigerians are ready to make their demands known to the government. He also added that no amount of intimidation would stop them from proceeding with the plans.
“We are all here to demand a government that favours the people, not the other way around. The government must listen to our demands to make the economy work. It is obvious that the Tinubu reform is not working and people are paying the sacrifice while the political elites of this country are living large. We must have a government that will pay attention to healthcare, education, and human development.”
One of the protesters who joined while passing by, Precious Oguche said she joined the protest because of the high cost of food and other commodities in the country. She added that inflation has disrupted the economic balance in the state.
“The way things are tripled in price is what brought me to protest. It affects me as a human being, it affects me as a citizen, and that is why I have come for the protest. There is hunger. People can not buy anything in the market, you go to the market, and you can not afford crayfish. Even Gaari is now a rich man food, and you said I should walk by; I cannot walk by; I do not have to be in any group to protest. Nobody is more Lagosian than others.”
In Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, protests began from Iwo Road and proceeded to the state secretariat, where demonstrators were seen carrying placards and banners to reflect their agitations and express their grievances.
The demonstration also hindered commercial and business activity in the city of Ibadan, as people stayed inside out of fear of the demonstrators’ civil unrest.
One of the protesters, Gift Erupre, said the protest was to address the growing hardship and bad governance in the country. She also stated that despite the presence of security agents at the protest ground, they were resolute and determined to make their demands known to the government.
Femi Adewole also added, “We are tired of empty promises and political rhetoric. It is time for our leaders to take concrete actions to address the real issues affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
In Ogun state, a few protesters turned out later in the day to air their grievances to the government. They were seen carrying placards and chanting anti-government slogans.
Similar to other states, their placards bore inscriptions such as “End bad governance in Nigeria,” “We are after peace and progress in Nigeria,” “Food inflation is killing us,” and “Dapo Abiodun fix Ogun State roads,” among others.
Protesters were also observed taking part in the demonstrations in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, even though it was raining outside. They began their march from Freedom Park in Osogbo and proceeded down the popular MDS road to Olaiya Junction, where the protesters, accompanied by armed security personnel, addressed journalists.
The Osun State Coordinator, Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, Adetunji Ajala, said the protest was not for any political support, but rather to address the hunger and hardship in the country which the government must respond to as the protest continues for the next nine days.
“Hunger, poverty, and bad policy of this administration are affecting all of us. We are here not because of any political affiliation, not because anybody has given us money. What we have here is a reflection that people are displeased.
“Pump price is N800 per litre today. It is not a question of either APC or PDP. What we are going through in this country is affecting everybody and it was caused by bad governance. Tinubu should review the policies. We are hungry. The protest is going to last for ten days. We want the pump price to return to N180 per litre,” Ajala said.
