October 1: Protest against economic hardship holds in Ondo

Residents of Ondo State took to the streets on Tuesday, gathering at the Cathedral area in Akure, the state capital, to protest against the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.

The protesters urged the federal and state governments to urgently address the surge in fuel prices, escalating food costs, and the broader impact of inflation on the daily lives of Nigerians. They were joined by human rights activists under the #RevolutionNow movement, who demanded immediate action to tackle the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and the rising cost of petrol nationwide.

Defying warnings from the Ondo State Police Command against holding any demonstrations, the protesters marched through the streets, chanting anti-government slogans and calling on President Bola Tinubu to provide lasting solutions to the country’s challenges.

Despite the protest, commercial activities in Akure were not disrupted, as traders, marketers, and shop owners kept their businesses open. Security personnel, including members of the State Police Command and State Security Services, monitored the protest, which saw participation from commercial drivers and motorcyclists.

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The protesters expressed frustration over the varying fuel prices at different filling stations across the state, urging the state government to intervene. One of the protest leaders, Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, criticized the federal government for its lack of responsiveness to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

Ajayi remarked, “Nigerians are both angry and hungry due to the poor economic policies of Tinubu’s government. Imagine the price of fuel and food—the common man can no longer afford to feed well. There is hunger in the land, inflation is soaring, and it’s all because of unfavorable government policies. We demand an end to this suffering.”

Listing their demands, the protesters called for an end to hunger and the high cost of food, job creation for youths, a reduction in fuel and electricity prices, and the introduction of free education. They vowed to continue their demonstrations until the federal and state governments address their grievances.

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, had earlier warned residents not to participate in any protests, emphasizing that security operatives had been deployed to maintain peace, especially ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.