Plateau joins nationwide protest against hunger, suffering
From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
Plateau State on Thursday joined other parts of Nigeria to protest against hunger and suffering.
The protest in Jos, the state capital, was peaceful with an orderly procession of protesters marching from the Secretariat junction to the old airport roundabout.
Isa El Buba, a prophet and convener of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), led mthe procession and addressed the protesters, highlighting the suffering of Nigerians and the need for the president to reverse his anti-people policies.
Buba specifically mentioned the reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy, reversal of high electricity tariff, and reduction of the high cost of living as some of the demands of the protesters.
Despite the government’s rejection, the protesters were determined to make their voices heard, carrying Nigerian flags and placards with inscriptions such as “There is hunger in the land”, “Bring back fuel subsidy”, and “Reverse electricity tariff” “Enough is Enough”.
Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful.
The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.
Other protesters also assembled at the British American roundabout in Jos, where most shops were closed in solidarity with the protest.
The peaceful nature of the protest was a relief to many who had feared that the protest might turn violent.
As the protesters presented their demands, it remains to be seen whether their voices will be heard and their demands met.
Shops, banks closed in Jos as Plateau joins nationwide
Shops and banks at the popular Taminus market in Jos, Plateau State were practically closed on Thursday as the state joined other parts of Nigeria to protest against hunger and suffering.
Traders at the market were seen discussing in groups about the situation in the country, with many expressing concern about the impact of the protest on their businesses.
A shop owner, who simply identified himself as Mark, told BusinessDay that “I don’t know what the protest would turn into, so other traders and I had decided to hang around our shops to monitor the situation”.
The situation was the same at the major streets in the town of Jos, with few vehicles plying the roads in the state capital.
The protesters were demanding an end to hunger and suffering in the country, and were calling on the government to reverse its anti-people policies.
The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.
Despite the closure of shops and banks, the protest was generally peaceful at the time of filing this report, with no reports of violence or clashes between protesters and security operatives.
The protest in Plateau State was part of a nationwide protest against hunger and suffering, with many other states across the country also participating.
As the protest continues, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the government and the country as a whole.
