Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Osun State, yesterday, thronged major streets of Osogbo, the state capital, protesting against insecurity and bad governance in Nigeria.
The protesters, mostly youths, took off from the popular Freedom Park at Old Garage around 10:00 a.m. and marched through Station Road area where they addressed shop owners and passersby at Fagbewesa junction of Osogbo on the need to join the advocacy for better Nigeria.
They went through streets, sharing leaflets to passersby and calling on residents to “wake up and demand for their rights from governments.”
According to the Convener of the peaceful protest, Waheed Lawal, members of the public need to be sensitised to always stand against injustice and maladministration rather than dying in silence.
ALSO, while addressing residents of the state, including motorists and traders, Waheed Saka said despite the human and natural resources the country is endowed with, poor leadership had put the country in the wrong direction, leading to untold hardship among the masses.
The protesters, carrying large banners and placards with varying inscriptions, asked the federal and state governments to start paying members of the National and State Assemblies N30,000 minimum wage instead of the bogus salaries and allowances they receive.
RELATEDLY, human rights activists, yesterday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, began a peaceful protest against rising insecurity in the country.
The human rights activists were led by Mr. Femi Aborisade.
Aborisade, who addressed journalists during the protest, which saw the protesters marching through major streets in Ibadan, insisted that those in power had broken social contract with the governed.
He, however, said that the citizens have right to protest peacefully in a situation when those who are in power are not performing their duties.
Aborisade maintained that situations in the country necessitated the peaceful protest.
“Governance has totally collapsed in Nigeria. There is a social contract between those who were elected and the people. That contract is that government has a duty to provide welfare and security for the people.
“The government has failed totally in providing welfare and security for the citizens. Only yesterday (Sunday), in Niger State, no fewer than 200 students were kidnapped.
“This is apart from other students that have been kidnapped. The Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu are still in captivity. On a regular basis, Nigerians are being slaughtered like animals and government is unable to do anything. Nigerian government appears helpless. So, Nigerians are tired of this state of insecurity.”
