By Our Correspondent
Major roads and bus stops in Lagos looked scanty in the early hours of Thursday at the start of a 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and suffering, TheNewsZenith reports.
Our correspondents in parts of Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State reports that so far, the protest has been peaceful.
Reporters, who went around major joints as early as 7.30 a.m. in Lagos, reported that the Police and other security agencies converged at Gani Fawehunmi’s Park, waiting for the protesters.
The Police, Civil Defence, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps and newsmen were on the ground waiting for the arrival of the protesters.
The 10-lane ever busy Ojota-Ikorodu Road witnesses few vehicles, while many people resorted to trekking to their destinations.
TheNewsZenith observed that while the park gate was widely open for the protesters to use, none of the groups had arrived as of 8.50 a.m.
Gani Fawehinmin’s park, one of the designated venues, had been used for many protests and rallies, including the #EndSARS protest in the past.
The Commander Area F Ikeja, ACP Paul Okafor, who was at the venue, said everywhere was peaceful as there was no cause for alarm.
Our correspondent also reports that the ever-busy Lagos-Abeokuta highway, bus stops and BRT parks on that corridor were empty as of press time.
A resident of Ahmadiyya Bus Stop, Lagos – Sango Otta road, Mrs Abiola Awoyemi, told TheNEwsZenith that the fear of violence scarred people to stay indoors.
“Everywhere is empty, no vehicle, people are scared to come out. We cannot go anywhere now. Our nation needs prayers,” Awoyemi said.
She urged the government at all levels to wake up and reduce the hardship Nigerians are complaining about.
“The inflation is too high, the fuel price is too high and food is no longer affordable.
“Our leaders must do something fast to alleviate the suffering,” Awoyemi, a mother of two children said.
Also speaking, Mr Bayo Olufemi, a civil servant at Abule Egba Under-bridge, said that the protest had affected vehicular movement and commercial activities.
Olufemi, who visited the popular BRT park at the popular Super Bus Stop, said he was surprised to see everywhere deserted.
“There are no commercial buses and no private vehicles on the road. Everyone is scared of violence. Even the popular Justrite mall is closed.
“Apparently, only policemen are here under-bridge and few people. The protest might still hold.
“I advise the government to assuage the rising cost of living. People are truly suffering.
“Things are no longer the same. It has been hardship everywhere,” Olufemi told TheNewsZenith.
A Labour Party (LP) chieftain in Lagos State, Pastor Dayo Ekong said Nigerian youths could make their voices heard without resorting to violence and destruction.
Ekong made this remark in reaction to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest in Lagos.
According to him, Nigerian youths have the right to protest. It is a way of letting the government know their frustration about the state of the economy.
Ekong, however, noted that the protest would not achieve the desired results if it turned violent and destructive.
In Ibadan, Oyo State capital, came reports that the planned nationwide protest against hunger began on a peaceful note.
The peaceful protest started under the Iwo Road bridge. Protesters proceeded through Agodi-Gate, University College Hospital, UCH and terminated at Mokola Roundabout.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayodele Sonubi, told newsmen that the protesters, are peacefully conducting themselves.
Sonubi assured them that the Police and other security agencies would continue to provide an enabling environment for peaceful protests.
He urged them to remain peaceful, adding that the government was aware of their demands.
One of the protesting leaders, Oyo State Coalition Against Hunger, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, said the protest is to let the government know that the people are not enjoying the governance.
“Our protest has been peaceful, we don’t have guns, the only thing we have is our placards and banners.
“We are saying an end to hunger and poverty, that is why we are here,” TheNewsZenith quotes Aremu as saying.
A legal practitioner, Yomi Ogunlola, also remarked that the youths are expressing their grievances.
He commended them for conducting themselves well and adhering to the designated areas.
Ogunlola also praised the government for providing security cover for the protesters.
“I have come out to sympathise with them on this noble course. We believe that by registering their grievances, the government may have a rethink. So, I am here in solidarity,” he said.
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