Hundreds of angry Nigerian youths on Monday took to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to stage a peaceful demonstration over the unbearable hardship, hunger, insecurity and soaring cost of living in the country under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The protesters who thronged major streets in the ancient city carrying different placards, called on Tinubu to urgently address the issues of insecurity and hunger in the country.
Chanting different protest songs, the youths said they were fed up with the current state of affairs in Nigeria and demand concrete action from the government.
Some of the placards bore messages like “Tinubu must address insecurity,” “Hunger is killing us,” “End food hike and inflation,” “The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ while the protesters also expressed concern about the high cost of living which they say is making it difficult for people to afford necessities not to talk of luxuries.
The protest comes on the heels of similar demonstrations in different parts of the country as a result of the myriads of challenges facing the country including high food prices, kidnappings, banditry, and attacks by terrorist groups.
With food prices also skyrocketing out of the reach of many Nigerians who are finding it extremely difficult to feed their families, the government of the day seems to be overwhelmed as opposition parties, especially Atiku Abubakar’s PDP calling for the resignation of president Bola Tinubu, while the government keeps asking Nigerians to be patient with no visible plans to get the country out of the present quagmire.
The protesters appealed to all concerned Nigerians to join the solidarity movement as the people cannot continue endure what they describe as an unbearable pain.
One of the coordinators, Miss Queen Mobalaji assures that they have put necessary machinery in place to prevent the protest from being hijacked by unscrupulous elements, while reiterating the concern for a better Nigeria.
Police Public Relations Officers, Oyo State Command, SP Adewale Osifeso who accompanied the protesters, says the police is focused on guaranteeing safety of both the protesters and other Nigerians to ensure other people with ulterior motives do not hijack the protest.
At Bodija market, market women in solidarity join the protesters, calling on the President Bola Tinubu led federal government to be responsive in addressing their plight.
Similar protests had held in Kano, Niger, Sokoto and Jos, with fears that they could possibly snowball into national crisis in no time.
It would also be recalled that the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Sunday warned that rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria.
The bank also warned that rising cost of living could also lead to revolt in Ethiopia, Angola and Kenya respectively.
The AfDB issued the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024. in which it projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 percent recorded in 2023.
According to the bank, it is projected that growth on the continent will rebound to 3.8% in 2024.
It, however, cautioned that an increase in fuel and commodity prices occasioned by currency depreciation or subsidy removal in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia could trigger internal conflicts.