Nationwide Protest: Ondo Residents Fume Over Hardship

By Ayodele Oni

Residents of Ondo State on Tuesday stormed the streets to express displeasure over the current economic hardship ravaging the country under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The residents, who were joined by Human Rights Activists under the aegis of the #RevolutionNow, besieged the roads and demanded immediate action over the high cost of staple foods and inflation amid growing frustration on the price of petrol nationwide.

The protest came despite warnings by the state police command against any demonstration on the streets during the celebration of October 1 Independence Day.

The state commissioner of police, Abayomi Oladipo, had earlier on Monday in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, asked residents not to join any protest in the state.

Oladipo said the command had deployed its men to the town to ensure no protest is used in truncating the celebration of the independence day.

But kicking off at the popular Cathedral church junction in Akure, the peaceful protesters chanted anti-government songs, while demanding that President Tinubu should address the issue of hunger, cut in pump price and electricity prices in the country.

The protest, which was closely monitored by the combined team of armed police officers and men of the State Security Services, (SSS) also drew the attention of commercial vehicle drivers and motorcyclists, who lamented over the disparity in the prices of fuel at filling stations in the state.

Addressing journalists, one of the leaders, Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, accused the government of not being sensitive to the needs of Nigerians in the face of the economic challenges in the country.

Mr Ajayi explained that the various “anti-government policies” of the current administration have further plunged the country into economic crisis, noting that Nigerians can no longer bear the hardship.

“As you can see, Nigerians are angry and at the same time hungry because of the poor economic policies of Tinubu’s government.

“Imagine the price of fuel. The high price of food, the common man, can no longer feed well. Do they want to kill us? Why is this government not listening to the people?

“There is hunger in the land. Inflation in the country because of poor and unfavourable economic policies. We are demanding an end to this suffering.

“They should immediately reverse both fuel subsidy and electricity. This government continues to waste our resources and enrich  own pockets. We want to say Enough is Enough. They should allow the common man to breathe.”

While listing some of the demands of the protesters to include an end to hunger and high cost of food, creation of jobs for the youths, reduction in the price of fuel and electricity, introduction of free education, Mr Ajayi vowed that the people would continued with their action by demonstrating on the street until the Government addresses their grievances.

Also speaking, Seyi Ogundipe, an Activist, said the economic hardship in the country has worsened the plans of many Nigerian youths who are self-reliant and entrepreneurs.

He noted that if the situation persists without being addressed, the country may record continuing  high rate of unemployment with the youths resulting in crime.

However, despite the protest, business activities were booming with traders and shop owners opening for sales as other residents moved about with their daily routines in the state.

In his nationwide broadcast earlier on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu had appealed to Nigerians to be patience as the administration is doing everything possible to cushion effects of the harsh policies.