Under the watchful eyes of heavy security personnel across the board, the protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday, took the form of street marches and addresses by the protest leaders on their demands.
Commercial activities, though at a low ebb, went on unhindered across the city, though several residents stayed indoors up until noon, after which they began to come out.
Notably, two groups led the protests, with one being a coalition of civil society organisations led by Professor Ademola Aremu, who marched from the University of Ibadan gate to Mokola under the bridge, while the other group, led by Mr. Solomon Emiola, marched from Iwo Road to Agodi Gate, Mokola, to the University of Ibadan-Ojoo road.
Giving an address at Mokola under the bridge, Professor Ademola Aremu stressed that the protest was to demand the immediate reversal of anti-poor policies, specifically the pump price of petrol, to N197; immediate repositioning of public refineries and an end to the importation of petroleum products; immediate reversal of the decision to hike the electricity tariff; and that political office holders be placed on the salary and allowance earned by civil servants.
He added that the protesters were keen that the Nigerian police and armed forces be accorded the right to form and belong to trade union so as to proudly let out their agitations too. wanted free education at all levels; national minimum wage which rises as inflation rises; and renationalization of the power sector under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people
Also speaking, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye said: “We are tired of bad government; we are tired of corruption; we are tired of poverty; we are tired of hunger; we are tired of hardship.”
Another leader of the protest, Dr. Oluwakemi Aremu, described those residents staying at home as ignorant and not joining the protest.
On his part, Mr Solomon Emiola said the protest was necessitated by hunger, poverty, hunger, insecurity, terrorism, a lack of proper funding for our education, security, unemployment, bad governance, bad electoral practices, a lack of local government autonomy, and a and a lack of social amenities that Nigerians faced.
The Oyo Commissioner of Police, Ayo Sonubi, who addressed the protesters at Mokola under the bridge, lauded the protesters for being reasonable and peaceful in their protest thus far.
He said the police and other sister security agencies would provide security for the protesters no matter the number of days that the protest would last, as he enjoined the leaders to ensure that the protest remains peaceful.
Sonubi said: “The police and security have been providing an effective, safe, enabling environment since they are peaceful, which is our desire and prayer. Whether for 10 days or one month, provided they are peaceful, our duty is to continue to come out to provide security.
“They should be reasonable. They are reasonable thus far. They should listen to the voice of wisdom. They want to make a point; they seek government attention. The government is now aware. Their leadership should now take it a step further to communicate their grievances to the rightful authorities.”
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