The much-advertised nationwide hunger protest slated to start on August 1 and last to August 10, started, today, with many Nigerians hitting the streets to protest what they tagged #EndBandGovernance in Nigeria.
Recall that Nigerians have been groaning under economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and deregulation of the Naira.
Our correspondent who monitored the protest in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital, reports there were not protesters on the streets. Though banks and some major businesses in the city were under locks, there were no disturbances recorded in Abakaliki.
Movement in the the city remained scanty as of the time of this report.
According to The Nation, most banks visited around 10am along the popular Water Works and Ogoja Roads were under lock and keys.
However, the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of the banks were in operation.
Though the banks staff went to work, they, however, did not attend to customers.
This is even as some customers were seen in front of the locked gate stranded.
One of the customers said he came to the bank to apply for a new ATM card but was asked to go home by staffers of the bank.
The Nation also reported that the popular fast-food joints like Chicken Republic along the Water Works Road were not opened. Also, a major Shopping mall Roban Stores at Mile 50 area the city and major phone company Fine Brothers and others were also under locks.
“Also, some filling stations opened but started closing up. It was not immediately clear why they took the action.
“Security agencies were on constant patrol round the city while many others were stationed at strategic points across the city.
“Two armoured personnel career and patrol vans were stationed in front of the old Government House with a strong detachment of policemen.
“The policemen all tied red pieces of cloth on their arms.
There was no sign of any protesters anywhere in the city as of the time of this report, The Nation stated.
In Ogun State, The Nation observed that most strategic locations within the capital, Abeokuta, such as Iyana mortuary, Sapon, Okelewo, NNPC Mega station area are peaceful. People were seen going about their private engagements without hindrance or protesters in sight.
The report stated that residents were seen in a long queue at the NNPC Mega station to buy fuel.
At the MKO Abiola International Stadium Kuto, Abeokuta, the area was deserted of the presence of any protesters. This is one of the designated locations by the State Government for the protest.
Recall that the Ogun State High Court on Wednesday ordered the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to limit their activities to four locations in the State.
The court also restricted the time frame of the protests to between 8 am and 5 pm.
The order was sequel to an application by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), and granted by Justice O. Ogunfowora.
In his ruling, Ogunfowora directed that all protests under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria slogan or any other slogan from August 1 to 10, 2024 must be limited in place and time.
The judge prohibited the protesters from protesting anywhere in the State except at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
As of 10.56 am, The Nation reported that no protest was going on at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Also, there was also no sign it was likely hold afterwards.
It however, reported that a combined security operatives comprising the army, police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were sighted at MKO Stadium to ensure security.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamutu, said the presence of a plethora of security operatives at the Stadium and designated locations was to protect the fundamental rights of every Nigeria and ensure safety of lives and property.
The story was similar in Imo State as the early hour heavy rain downpour on Thursday forced protesters to abandon plans, if any. This is because all the streets and roads in the State were deserted.
Reports had stated that some groups had scheduled to mobilize for the protest. Their plans were, however, thwarted by unfavorable weather conditions. Though today is the first day of the protest, no one knows what will happen in the remaining days of the protest.
Reports from the city said the bustling streets like Wetheral Road, Douglas Road, and Bank Road were eerily scanty. Offices and businesses had their doors half opened. This is occasioned by the sense of unease and uncertainty that gripped the city.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the situation was calm by the time of this report. Rose Wale Petroleum Station, Iwo Road, the designated convergence venue for the protesters has been calm.
Reports stated that the protesters arrived the venue for the protest as early as 8:30am. They, however arrived the venue of the protest around 11am. However, early morning shower in different parts of the city slowed down the gathering.
The protesters, numbering about 200 youths, were very peaceful in their conduct.
The were made up of a coalition of various interest groups under the aegis “Oyo State Coalition Against Hardship”.
Speaking to journalists, the group said the protest was against hardship in the land and not against any individual.
They were however, seen carrying placards and sang solidarity songs. The protesters insisted that they did not embark on the protest to foment any trouble. They called the attention of the government to the hardship and difficulties across the country.
The group later marched to Iwo Road before going to Agodi Gate from where they marched to Mokola Ibadan. Their movement was however, checked by the heavy security operatives with numerous patrol vans, to provide security and protection.
Before the protesters arrived the Rose Wale Petroleum station, combined security operatives of the Nigerian Police were already positioned there.
“Four security patrol vans fully loaded with armed officers are strategically located within the premises of the petrol station.
“All the officers at Rose Wale Petroleum Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan were seen battle ready. They are wearing red armbands around their left arms.
“They were scattered in different locations within and outside the station.
However, the report stated that business activities went on unmolested around the area. People selling mobile phones and other petty goods were seen engaging in their daily businesses.
“Commercial transport drivers were also doing plying their trade. The roads were initially deserted but an increased vehicles are being noticed on the road.
In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, the situation was different as the atmosphere was tensed.
At the designated centre for the protest, the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja security presence was heavy.
Recall that an Abuja High Court had ordered that the #EndBadGovernance protesters should confine their protests to the stadium.
Therefore, the armed security personnel were deployed at the venue to maintain order and enforce the court’s restrictions.
The protesters were seen as early as 6 am, singing solidarity songs. A human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju was seen leading the protesters.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commissioner of Police (CP), Bennet Igweh was on ground at the stadium where he addressed the protesters. He asked them to move into the stadium instead of protesting outside.
The protesters, however, became unruly as they insisted that they have the right to protest outside the stadium.
However, an incident happened earlier at the Eagle Square where some protesters had gone to commence their protest.
They were dispersed by the security operatives stationed at the facility, using tears.
Recall that there was a controversy of the use of the Eagle Square.
The organizers of the protest had stated that they had applied for the use of the facility through the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, however, said that the facility was not available for use by the protesters. The organizers insistence that they were going to use the Eagle Square with or without the approval of the FCT Minister.
To prevent that from happening, Wike approached the High Court, which gave the order limiting the protesters to the Moshod Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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