Activists, youth groups, and members of various civil society organizations gathered in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Monday to stage a peaceful protest against the escalating cost of living in Nigeria.
The demonstrators, including representatives from the Joint Action Force, Coalition for Revolution, Osun Civil Society Coalition, and the Federation of Informal Workers in Osun State, voiced their opposition to the federal government’s decision to allocate funds from the removal of oil subsidies to state governors.
Addressing the crowd during the protest, one of the organizers, Mr. Waheed Saka, emphasized the need to address the economic crisis gripping the nation and warned of potential larger crises if left unchecked.
The protesters marched from Freedom Park through the streets of Osogbo, eventually gathering under Olaiya Bridge to speak with journalists. Despite a significant police presence, they sang songs illustrating the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Saka criticized the management of resources by state governors in the past and urged the government to fulfill its promises to the people. He highlighted the adverse effects of currency devaluation on fuel prices and the ripple effect on essential goods and livelihoods.
The organizers called for immediate action to alleviate the burden on ordinary Nigerians, rejecting policies influenced by international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. They stressed the importance of retaining subsidies to ease the financial strain on the populace.
The protest, they affirmed, was not just a labor movement issue but a concern shared by all Nigerians, and they vowed to continue mobilizing ordinary citizens until their demands were met.
