By Olusegun Olanrewaju, with agency report
The hurricane of protests over the unprecedented rising cost of living yesterday spread to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Several youths took to the streets in protest of the current food crisis and insecurity in the country.
There had been similar protests in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Osun and Lagos states.
Early yesterday, the protesters gathered around the Mokola area carrying placards with messages such as ‘Tinubu must address insecurity’, ‘Hunger is killing us’, ‘End food hike and inflation’, ‘The poor are starving’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises’, among others.
The protesters called on the government to take steps to bring down the high cost of living especially the soaring prices of food commodities.
They also called on the government to tackle the incidence of kidnappings in the land as well as end banditry and terrorist attacks.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Ibadan mass protest witnessed a low turnout as members of the public went about their lawful activities.
The protest, which was to commence by 8 a.m., was expected to be witnessed by a large turnout of residents to express their displeasure with the current economic situation in the country.
NAN reports that as of 8.30 am, only a handful of protesters were at the venue, being coordinated by some notable activists.
The protesters later moved to Sango-UI road with about 100 people participating.
NAN, however, observed the presence of security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police Force and Amotekun personnel.
Their presence did not, however, stop the protesters from having their day, as everything went on peacefully.
An activist, Solomon Emiola, who spoke with NAN, attributed the poor participation to a lack of proper communication, occasioned by irregular power supply as well as the hike in fuel price.
Emiola said that the protest was aimed at telling the government that Nigerians could no longer endure the present economic hardship.
“This has put everybody in a state of confusion. We don’t know where to go again. As citizens of Nigeria, it is expected that the provision of social amenities is the primary duty of every government.
“The provisions of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) are not met by our leaders, and we, as citizens, must hold them accountable. Sections 33 and 34 empowered every citizen to come out to protest the high cost of living, fuel hike, and other abnormal policies,” Emiola said.
He condemned what he described as the government’s decision to follow the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading to naira devaluation.
“We expect the government to declare a state of emergency on the economy and security,” the activist said.
*Tinubu knows Nigerians are suffering, says Osifo, APC chieftain
Meanwhile, a former presidential aspirant, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stanley Osifo, has said President Bola Tinubu understands that Nigerians are suffering.
Osifo said Tinubu is doing everything possible to fix the economic challenges confronting the country.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, the former presidential aspirant said: “Every Nigerian has one thing or the other to talk about now on the hardship.
“This good thing is that even the president has acknowledged the problems, and he understands what Nigerians are going through now.
“He acknowledged the problem during his last meeting with governors. He has given assurances that with time, things will stabilise.
“Nigerians should not panic because what we are going through right now is a phase, and I believe this phase will pass soon.”
According to Osifo, things have not been easy for Nigerians as a result of the economic situation, stressing that the president was not sleeping on all matters.
He added, “The President is trying his best to stabilise the economy and has made some pronouncements and interventions on how to give succour to the people.
“I strongly believe that the President is aware of what is going on right now and he is doing everything possible to see how the issues will be addressed.
“Also, let the President, the governors, and council chairmen prioritise issues facing ordinary Nigerians. They must get things addressed and make sure that Nigerians don’t cry again.
“It should be clear to all in the corridor of power that Nigerians are suffering, hence the need to stop wasteful spending.”
