•Protesters
As people of Ondo State gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade, Alagbaka, Akure, for the celebration of the Independence Day, some group of activists were joined by some people in the street protesting against bad governance in the country.
The protesters were protesting mainly because of the current economic hardship in the country, reports Daily Independent.
The human rights activists under the aegis of the #RevolutionNow, demanded immediate reduction in the prices of staple foods and Premiums Motor Spirit (PMS).
Starting off at the Sacred Heart Cathedral junction on Oyemekun Road, Akure, the protesters peacefully walked through Arakale chanting anti-government slogans.
They demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should address the issue of hunger, review downward prices of electricity and PMS.
Guided closely by armed men of police and Department of Security Services(DSS), the protest was peaceful and was not hijacked by hoodlums.
One of the activists, Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, told journalists that the protest became necessary because people at the helm of affairs of the federation are insensitive to the economic challenges being currently faced by the people.
Ajayi emphasised that the various “anti-people policies” of the current government have further plunged the country into serious economic crisis, noting that Nigerians can no longer bear the hardship.
He said: “As you can see, Nigerians are angry and at the same time hungry because of the poor economic policies of Tinubu’s government. Imagine the price of fuel. The high price of food, the common man can no longer feed well. Do they want to kill us? Why is this government not listening to the people?
“There is hunger in the land. Inflation in the country because of poor and unfavourable economic policies. We are demanding an end to this suffering. They should immediately reverse both fuel subsidy and electricity. This government continues to waste our resources and enriching their own pockets. We want to say Enough is Enough. They should allow the common man to breathe.”
Another activist, Seyi Ogundipe, lamented that the economic hardship in the country has undermined the plans of many Nigerian youths who are self-reliant and entrepreneurs.
He warned that if the situation persists without being addressed, there would be a rise in unemployment rate and many youths may resort to crime.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command had warned against any demonstration in the state on the Independence Day.
The state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, in a statement yesterday signed by the Spokesperson for the command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, told residents not to join any protest in the state.
