Youths, others storm streets in Osogbo for nationwide protest

• Demand review of Tinubu’s economic policies
• Others present demands amid peaceful demonstrations in Oyo
• APC, PDP trade words over alleged sponsorship of protest

Youths, students and civil society organisations, under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC), Osun State chapter, yesterday, stormed major streets in Osogbo, the state capital, to participate in the protest against bad governance in the country.

The protesters, numbering over 1,500, who earlier converged on the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, around 9:15 a.m., later moved to the basement of Olaiya Flyover Bridge.

The protesters, including commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada riders, denounced the hardship in the country, calling on President Bola Tinubu to review his economic policies, which they claimed, had made life miserable for majority of the citizenry.

Coordinator of the Coalition, AjalaAdetunji, while addressing the protesters at the venue, said: “Hunger, poverty and hardship are affecting every one of us. We are here not because of any political affiliation or because somebody has given us a dime. What you see today is the reaction of the people to bad governance and socio-economic challenges in the country.”

Also speaking, Alfred Adegoke stated: “When we were planning this protest, the government said it would be like #EndSARS protest in 2020 where public infrastructures were destroyed and many lives lost.

“It was a lie and propaganda from the government. #EndSARS was a peaceful protest with the active involvement of civil rights activists. It was a peaceful protest until security agencies started to shoot protesters at Ojota and Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.”

“Today, we commend the security agents who are here to monitor this protest. We are here to protest peacefully without vandalising any property. Our youths and students are here to participate in this protest.”

In his remarks, Wale Adebisi contended that “it is very commendable that we still have vibrant youths in Nigeria that can kick against bad governance. They have the consciousness to demand for good governance. It is duty of the government to protect the citizens and provide employment for the youths, including meaningful empowerment for the people.

In Oyo State, the protest was generally peaceful across the state. The protesters, who were addressed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayodele Sonubi at noon, dispersed and promised to assemble today.

The protests took off from various points in Ibadan as early as 8:00 a.m. and terminated mainly at Ojoo, Mokola, Challenge and Government Secretariat Agodi.
Major streets in Ibadan were practically deserted just as markets and other retailing areas were completely shut.

Also, few commercial bus and motorcycle operators were carrying passengers but with utmost caution.
Sonubi, who confirmed that the exercise was peaceful in the state, said that the security agents would continue to provide security and support.

A human rights activist, Abiodun Bamgboye, insisted that the protest would last for 10 days. Bamgboye, who spoke on behalf of the group at the University of Ibadan (UI) gate, urged residents of the state to prepare for the 10-day protest.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have exchanged words over alleged sponsoring of #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.

The APC accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of aiding, abetting and sponsoring the protests in his statutory jurisdiction against the central government led by President Bola Tinubu when some governors have spoken against such protests in the overall interest of the corporate existence of the nation.

The Osun State chairman of the APC, Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, yesterday, said: “It was unthinkable that Governor Adeleke could be openly romancing with the protest agitators to castigate and embarrass the administration of Tinubu unlike other state governors who have openly distanced themselves from it.

But reacting to the statement, Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, warned the opposition party to observe decorum in its desperate attempt at playing politics when matters of public safety and security of life and property are being discussed.