#EndBadGovernance Protesters Demand Return of Fuel Subsidy, Reduce Cost of Governance

By Towncriernews

Major streets in Benin City, Edo State capital were deserted on Thursday as a result of the “#end bad governance protests” as businesses were not opened and many people chose to stay indoors obviously to avoid a repetition of what happened during the 2020 #EndSARS protest that went violent.

All the major roads and street leading to the city centre known as Oba Ovonramwen Square (Ring Road) where the protesters gathered were virtually empty. 

The roads include Ekhehuan Road, Akpakpava Road, Sapele Road, Airport Road and Sokponba Road. All the banks and other big business outlets in these major roads were also closed for business with heavy security guiding government buildings.

At the state House of Assembly Complex, there was heavy presence of police with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and dozens of armed securitymen, while there were red flags at the precincts of the Benin and Oko Prisons. The courts were not also spared of heavy security presence.

At the city centre where the protesters gathered, they  mounted a stage opposite the Museum which was locked with loud music of “revolutionary” singers like Fela, Eedris Abdulkareem, African China and others blaring from the speakers.

Addressing the crowd, one of leaders of the protesters, Osunbor Kelly Omokaro said they “must take Nigeria back from the politicians who have held us ransom in our fatherland. We are not for violence but we want the government to hear our cry”.

To another protester, Leftist Austin Enabulele “We are not out to destroy, we must take our Nigeria. Nigeria does not belong to Tinubu, Nigeria does not belong to Akpabio but we must not also forget that the state and local governments are part of the government, our governors are not doing enough, the Supreme Court has given financial them autonomy and we must begin to hold them responsible and accountable.”

On her part, Mrs Anny Umoru said “I am one of those who have come out to protest and to ensure that there is a peaceful protest, I envisage a peaceful protest and I also envisage that our message will be passed across to the authorities and then they must take action on it. We want to make it a three day protest”, while Emmanuel Ogbidi said “They should reduce the pump price of petrol, the government must reduce the price of petrol, bring back subsidies and stop the corruption in the subsidy administration.”

Another leader of the organisers, Kola Edokpayi said the protest has been peaceful but pass a vote of no confidence on political leaders in the country saying “We don’t need to consult the oracle of the hills and the caves to demystify it for us that the protest here is very peaceful, it is the voice of the unheard it is very sad that we have presidents and governors, local government chairmen that have failed woefully in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility” to another activist, Roy Oribhabo “This is a product of frustration, this is a product of derivation, this is a product of hunger, you can now see poverty, hunger walking physically in the streets of Nigeria and we are saying no, government is too far away from the commoners.”

Earlier in the day, the Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye visited the protesters where he commended them for the peaceful conduct and urged them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere as he promised to supply them water and snacks.

He said “This is what I have been saying that this protest must be peaceful, like I have said, to protest is your fundamental human right that nobody can take away from you but I am impressed by what you have done. Edo state should be the model for other states to copy. All our men that are here, are here to protect you and I am supporting this peaceful exercise with water and some snacks for you.”

Skirmishes in the outskirts   

The peaceful atmosphere in the city centre was the same in the outskirts of the city as suspected hoodlums tried to hijack the process.

In the Country Home area Off Sapele Road some suspected hoodlums mounted a bonfire as early as 6:30 am and were collecting N500 for those who want to cross into the town, Similar experiences happened in Okagbare, Ikueniro, Upper Mission Road and others. At Iduowina behind Bethel Faith Academy, a trailer load of rice was looted allegedly belonging to the state government. 

At Upper Sokponba youth as early as 7.00 am blocked the roads playing football  at the center of the road with occasional interjection from vehicles which were promptly searched to ensure they were not carrying passengers.

The youths chanting “Tinubu must go”,”We de hungry” among others said that the Tinubu’s administration must end poverty  and hunger or  go if he does not have solution to Nigerian problems.