#EndBadGovernance: Eight people protested in Ilorin

Only eight people came out to attend the much-touted protest against economic hardship and bad governance in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Guardian Newspaper gathered that the eight people, led by the coordinator of ‘Take it Back Movement’, Bukhari Olanrewaju Ahmed, gathered at Metropolitan Square Asa Dam at around 8:30 am amid fierce-looking security personnel.

Our correspondent gathered that the venue, originally meant to accommodate no fewer than 100,000 people, merely hosted eight protesters, over 30 policemen, and 17 journalists.

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The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions including: “Hunger has united us; we are tired of lies and unfulfilled promises; we are tired of approvals without implementations; let’s do the right thing for once; and say no to bad governance.”

Apparently disturbed by the poor compliance, Bukhari said: “We are not yet hungry, we all will troop out when we are hungry,” alleging that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that ought to join the struggle have all been bought, including student groups.

Bukhari, a thriving businessman, who said he was touched by the poor socioeconomic situation and its biting effect on the masses across the country, told newsmen that: “I am here as an ordinary citizen feeling the effect of bad administration.”

On the identity of their sponsors, Buhari asked, “Do we look sponsored?” Adding: “We are sponsored by hunger.”

He, however, said the group was not discouraged by the unsuccessful outing because: “The people refused to come out because of hunger and intimidation. We received information yesterday (Thursday) that thugs were to attack us.”

A farmer, Issa Ayobami, told newsmen that the turnout was expected: “Because we have seen gestures by the government to buy people over with money and intimidation. I am comfortable, but many people are suffering,” he stated.

Earlier, our reporter, who monitored the protest, gathered that the post office roundabout and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which used to be busy areas, were taken over by the police and other security operatives, leaving no one in doubt that protesters might be walking straight into a security den.

The supervisor of Soludero Motor Park, Taye Ridwanu, popularly called Oloshe, enjoined all to shun the planned protest as it would not solve the pitiable situation in the country, urging all to pray for President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet.

The Special Assistant (S.A.) on security to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, Moshood Gobir, reminded all that the president and his boss are doing a lot to assuage the people’s plight.