A protest erupted on Monday in Oyo State, specifically in the Mokola area of Ibadan, the state capital. The demonstration, fueled by grievances over the soaring cost of living, food inflation, and the prevailing economic hardship, saw youths taking to the streets carrying placards and chanting slogans.
The protesters, wielding placards bearing messages such as ‘End food hike and inflation’, ‘The poor is starving’, and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises’, expressed their discontent with the government’s handling of the economy. They called on the Federal Government to fulfill its electoral promises and alleviate the suffering experienced by the Nigerian populace.
Similar protests also occurred in other parts of Ibadan, notably the Sango and Iwo road areas, as citizens voiced their concerns about the dire economic situation. Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, armed policemen were deployed to the protest scenes, underscoring the authorities’ readiness to maintain public order.
The backdrop of the protests lies in the recent removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange windows, both of which have contributed to exacerbating economic challenges nationwide. These policy decisions have resulted in widespread discontent among the populace, prompting protests in Oyo State and other regions such as Kano and Minna.
Authorities had issued a preemptive warning on Sunday, asserting that any breach of peace during protests would not be tolerated in the state. Nevertheless, the demonstrators remained steadfast in their demand for government action to mitigate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.