The spread of protests against the Tinubu-led government to Kogi State reflects the escalating discontent among Nigerians regarding the soaring costs of essential commodities. Market traders in Lokoja took to the streets to voice their grievances, highlighting the detrimental impact of high prices on their businesses.
Market women and men staged a massive protest, decrying the ever-increasing prices of essential commodities and its adverse effects on patronage. They lamented the inability to sustain profitability due to the astronomical rise in the cost of goods.
Mrs. Ladi, a rice and beans vendor, expressed concern over the drastic increase in prices, citing examples such as a bag of rice skyrocketing from N35,000 to N65,000, leading to a significant decline in profits. She emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to subsidize locally produced commodities, as traders struggle with dwindling sales.
Another trader highlighted the disparity between efforts to lower profit margins and the discouraging lack of patronage, reflecting a bleak outlook for traders’ livelihoods. Mrs. Laruba, a palm oil seller, echoed similar sentiments, bemoaning the unprofitability of her business due to escalating costs and buyer dissatisfaction.
Mrs. Adah, a vegetable trader, emphasized the widespread impact of price hikes across various food items, urging government intervention to alleviate the financial strain on citizens. The protesters pleaded for immediate measures to mitigate the escalating cost of living, which threatens their ability to sustain their businesses and livelihoods.
