Ayodele Olalere
There is calm in major parts of Lagos State following the commencement of the hunger protest which started today. Major roads in various parts of the state are deserted with a few people and vehicles.
Shops in markets in Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Ogba and Ikeja are under lock, and most stalls have no wares on them with sellers unavailable. Commercial vehicles including motorcycles are also few on the road.
Many corporate organisations, especially banks and filling stations are also closed for business in Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Ogba and Ikeja.
In Agege, some youths were seen gathered at some junctions to drink and talk, while others played football on the empty streets. There is also a high security presence at Moshalashi on the intersection of the Iyana Ipaja-Egbeda Road and Ipaja Road with more than a dozen police officers bearing arms.
However, in Ibadan, Oyo State, protesters stormed the streets carrying banners with the inscription ‘Oyo State Coalition against Hardship ‘ with their demands from the federal government.
In Abuja, protesters also stormed the MKO Abiola Stadium and vowed that the protest would continue until the president accede to their demands .
According to the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, who spoke at the Abuja protest, he noted that the President Tinubu had taken Nigerians for a ride for too long allowing hardship to last till now.
“The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration. Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.
“Today, we have risen. We saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accede to our demands we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street.
They vowed not to be intimidated by the presence of security personnel at the venue.