Residents of Osogbo in Osun State have taken to the streets of the state capital to protest against economic hardship and insecurity in Nigeria.
The protest occurred less than 12 hours after the police warned residents of the state to shelve the protest because hoodlums may hijack it.
The protesters were carrying banners and placards with several inscriptions and chanting anti-government songs to press home their demands for improved living standards.
They converged at the Old Garage area of Osogbo and marched through Freedom Park, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Alekuwodo then the Oke-Fia area of the state.
The protesters were monitored by operatives of Nigerian Police as they marched through the streets.
The leader of the protesters, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said the policies of the current government are anti-people and not aimed at ameliorating the suffering of the masses.
He advised that “They must do whatever they need to do to make sure that the people benefit from the reforms. They promised us renewed hope but what they are giving us now is renewed hardship, we reject renewed hardship in our lives, and in our economy because Nigerians deserve the best.
“What Nigerians want is a peaceful atmosphere. We don’t want insecurity in our land again because, with the state of insecurity in the country, you can’t travel from Osogbo to Ibadan with your mind at rest, you will be thinking you may be kidnapped.
“Kidnapping of Monarchs is the order of the day in our country now. We urge the government to provide security for lives and property. Every government that fails to provide security for the lives of the citizens is no longer a government. What we are saying is simple, we are ready to face the government on this hardship. We have started this struggle today and if government fails to listen to us, we will continue to mobilise our people to refuse this hardship because enough is enough.”
[THE WHISTLER]
