Pro-government campaigners march in Lagos against August 1st hunger protest
A pro-government rally in opposition against the August 1st hunger protest has kicked off in Lagos, with some youths carrying placards saying “no” to the planned August 1st nationwide protest.
The pro-government protesters converged on the Lagos Island area of the state to express their support for the Tinubu-led administration, while calling on other youths to “shun violent protest.”
The youths said they would not allow a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of property and loss of lives in the state.
Meanwhile, angry Nigerians have started the much-reported hunger protest before the August 1 commencement date in Niger State.
The youths blocked the Abuja-Kaduna Road highway in protest of what they called ‘harsh government policies.’
The protesters carried placards with several inscriptions such as ‘We Are Not Slaves’, ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’, ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’ and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back.’
Monday’s protesters appeared unwilling to wait till Thursday as they chanted anti-government slogans.
The organisers of the nationwide protests want an improvement in the cost of living and a reversal of some government policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies.
Nigeria faces its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Food prices more than doubled after President Bola Tinubu removed petrol subsidies and floated the naira to allow market forces to determine the value of the Nigerian currency.
The government says the policies are essential and that citizens would later benefit from them.
The government has been working hard to prevent the protests by meeting with traditional rulers, clerics, and other groups.
Security agencies like the police, the army and the State Security Service have also warned that the protests could be hijacked by persons intent on causing violence.
