Anti Fuel Price Hike Protest Hits Ondo, As NANS Calls For Reversal |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The nationwide protest against hike in the price of petrol and electricity tariffs berthed in Ondo state on Tuesday with protesters heaping curses on those behind it.

The protesters, made up mainly of members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, ( NANS), trooped to major roads in Akure, the state capital, carrying placards and banners with inscriptions against the hike in the cost of public utilities in the country.

Some residents that had been waiting for an opportunity to show their anger with the increment, joined the protesters, accusing the federal government of  insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

They described the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government of President Mohammadu Buhari as incompetent adding that it has unleashed more hardship on Nigerians than any other past administration.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kowe Odunayo, Coordinator of NANS Zone D, said the hike in  the petrol and electricity bills amounted to wickedness on the part of the government.

According to him, youths, especially the students, would be affected by the price hike, stressing that government needed to reverse the decision immediately.

“It is no longer news to many of us again that the federal government has increased the fuel and electricity tariff but we want it reversed immediately.

“We are tired and we can’t  continue like this, we have suffered enough under this government and can’t be smiling at the same time.

We are saying that the federal government  cannot continue to take us for fools with its  anti-people policies.

“If the government feels it can shut the voices of some people in Nigeria, it can’t shut the voices of the youths and the Nigerian students”.

Mr. Akinteye Babatunde, NANS JCC Ondo Axis, pointed out that Nigerians have suffered enough under the government of President Buhari noting that the people would no longer keep quiet on the injustice being meted out on them.

Aside from the recent hike, Babatunde revealed that the present government has introduced various anti- masses policies to Nigerians but said the youth would continue to speak against them.

“We have started speaking and making our voices known that the increment is unacceptable to us as youths. We shall continue to speak until the federal government knows that we are not happy about the increment of these utility bills.

“It is just too unfortunate that at this period of Covid-19 that the government in other countries are bringing succor to their citizens  in Nigeria, our own leaders and government are increasing the pains and suffering of their own citizens.

“It is so sad that our government is doing this to us, and it was because some of us as youths could not stand our ground against this injustice that this government has brought upon us.

“It has shown that this government doesn’t like its citizens and we need to rise up and stand against them. Now, we won’t stop and we would continue to demand and agitate for the right things”.

Since the government increased the tariffs, the masses have been crying foul, saying the action smacks of insensitivity.

Protests first erupted in Osun State, last week  over the hike. Labour Unions, including the NLC and the TUC are mobilising for protests.

However, the Federal Government says there will be no reversal of the hikes.