ANGER and disappointment over the current economic hardship and poverty in the land is gradually spreading as residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and environs on Monday, February 19 blocked major roads to protest against the policies of President Bola Tinubu that have brought about the situation.
Recall that there were similar protests and marches in Kano, Kano State, Minna and Suleja in Niger State over the worsening condition of living in the country. The angry protesters called on the federal government to end the hardship and unbearable inflation in the country, lamenting the hikes in the prices of gas and petrol.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embarked on a two-day warning strike on February 27 and 28 over federal government reluctance to implement wage increase.
The Ibadan protest began in Mokola area of the ancient city, with the peaceful protesters, mostly youths, blocking the Mokola under-bridge and the Queen Elizabeth road, thereby causing traffic hiccups in some parts of the city.
They chanted ‘Tinubu ole (Tinubu is a thief),’ ‘e bi n pawa (we’re hungry),’ with some carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘open boarder, end hardship,’ ‘end food hike and inflation,’ ‘the poor is starving,’ ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others, as they moved round the city peacefully, with armed policemen following behind or stationed at various location to prevent breakdown of law and order.
