Nigerians in Ibadan Protest Against Economic Hardship, Demand Government Accountability
A planned mass protest in Ibadan, tagged “End Hardship Nigeria,” witnessed a low turnout on Monday, as Nigerians expressed their dissatisfaction with the current economic situation in the country.
Initially scheduled to take place at the popular Mokola Roundabout, the protest saw only a handful of participants gathered at the venue by 8:30 am. However, about 100 people later assembled on Sango-UI road to voice their grievances.
Despite the modest turnout, the protest proceeded peacefully under the coordination of notable activists, despite the presence of security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force and Amotekun personnel.
Activist Solomon Emiola highlighted the challenges of poor communication due to irregular power supply and fuel price hikes, which may have contributed to the low turnout. He emphasized that the protest aimed to communicate to the government that Nigerians could no longer tolerate the prevailing economic hardship.
Emiola underscored the citizens’ right to protest, citing Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower individuals to voice concerns about the high cost of living, fuel hikes, and other unfavorable policies.
He criticized the government’s alignment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), leading to the devaluation of the naira, and called for urgent measures to address the economic and security challenges facing the nation.
The protest reflects a growing sentiment among Nigerians demanding accountability from the government and highlighting the need for urgent action to alleviate economic hardships and improve living conditions.
