Hunger protest: Heavy security on final day, Kano goes spiritual

Hunger protest: Heavy security on final day, Kano goes spiritual 

 

Protesters seeking an end to bad governance and hardship in the country wrapped up their 10-day demonstration on Saturday.

In Abuja and other places there was heavy security presence in major public places to forestall any breakout of violence as the organisers of the protest had earlier threatened to stage a one-million man rally to round off the event.

It was however observed that no rallies were held on the final day of the protests.

But a former country Director of ActionAid Ene Obi led a team in a sit-out at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

The group said the 10-day protest was a huge success, and hoped the government had learnt its lessons and would see the need to continually engage citizens on the issues raised.

The demonstrations across state capitals in Nigeria was tagged the #EndBadGovernance protests and was meant to call attention to the biting hardship in the country.

After the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the foreign exchange rate unification by President Bola Tinubu administration, the cost of essential commodities has astronomically increased, leading to high cost of living.

Although the government has introduced a number of policies including a student loan and a new minimum wage to cushion the effects of the harsh economic conditions, not much has changed.

The mass protests commenced on August 1 to press home demands for reversal of fuel subsidy withdrawal and better governance across all levels.

The protests initially were largely peaceful but turned violent, especially in some parts of the North.

This led to looting and destruction of property. And some state governments had to impose curfew to control the situation.

President Tinubu out of pressure addressed the nation, saying the protesters’ voices had been heard.

He called for dialogue but insisted there would be no reversal of the fuel subsidy removal.

The protesters returned to the streets after the broadcast and vowed not to back down until their requests were met.

Also on Saturday in Kano, some residents of the city went spiritual seeking divine intervention to the many woes of the country.

They observed special prayers despite pressures to cancel the session.

The prayer was observed in many points including the Isyaku Rabiu Mosque at Goron Dutse area in Dala Local Government of the state.