By Jethro Ibileke
The #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest took place on a peaceful note in Benin City, the Edo State capital
The protest was more of a carnival, as the protesters converged at the city centre, popularly known as Ring Road with music and dancing.
Recall that the State Police Commissioner, Mr Funsho Adegboye had on Wednesday evening disclosed that the organizers had agreed that the protest be restricted to the city centre.
Scores of security operatives were also positioned at all entry points to the Ring Road.
The protesters were armed with placards with different inscriptions, including: “End bad governance, we are not slaves; We are not a conquered people, we must speak our mind,” etc.
One Osunbor Kelly Omokaro while addressing the crowd, 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.”
Also speaking, Austin Enabulele said: “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 their financial 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.”
Also speaking, 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 passed a vote of no confidence on political leaders in the country.
“We don’t need to consult the oracle of the hill and the caves to demystify it for us that the protest here is very peaceful, it is the voice of the unheard, sadly, we have presidents and governors, local government chairmen that have failed woefully in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility,” he said.
Another activist, Roy Oribhabo said: “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, the government is too far away from the commoners.”
At about 10:44 am, the Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye visited the protesters. He commended them for their peaceful conduct and urged them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere as he promised to supply them with 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 a 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 wanted 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”, and “We do hungry” among others said that Tinubu’s administration must end poverty and hunger or go if he does not have a solution to Nigerian problems.
It was however gathered that unidentified youths blocked Ugbowo/Lagos Road, by Nitel Junction, Oluku, and around the UNIBEN main gate.
Sapele Road, by Santana Market and other points, were also allegedly blocked by youths of those areas.
Tight security was also observed at the Benin medium security Correctional facility. Red flags are hoisted at strategic points, even as armed security operatives, including soldiers, are seen parading the entire premises.
The protest however paralyzed commercial activities in the city. All business premises, including Oliha and Oba markets and others, are locked. All roads leading to the city centre are deserted, except for a few vehicles.
Some youths were sighted along the busy Siluko Road by Artillery Junction, playing football on one side of the double-carriage way.