Despite heavy security, hunger protesters rail against bag governance, corruption, misallocation of public funds
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Citizens on Wednesday massed in protest in Abuja against national economic hardship despite a heavy presence of security personnel and with Bola Tinubu thumping his chest as his hirelings unveiled a huge portrait of the President at Eagles Square hailing him as the harbinger of democracy even though he is an autocrat.
Led by activist Deji Adeyanju, a civil rights lawyer, the protesters defied the security presence to converge on Julius Berger roundabout by 8am chanting slogans and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We are hungry”, “June 12: A day of action against hunger & hardship”.
The protesters
- Accused Tinubu of implementing anti-people policies that have led to widespread poverty and suffering.
- Railed against his misallocation and wastage of public funds.
- Demanded the government takes immediate steps to address the issues facing Nigerians, including an end to corruption and impunity, and prioritisation of citizens’ welfare.
“We have gathered here because we believe that the DSS [Department of Security] should not intimidate Nigerians. The DSS should not be the ones telling Nigerians when to protest and when not to protest,” Adeyanju stressed.
“That is why, in defiance of the threat issued by the DSS yesterday warning all Nigerians to stay off the protest, we have decided that no matter how few we are, we will come and make our grievances known.
“The country is not working, Nigerians are hungry, the economy is bad, the naira has depreciated. For 25 years of democracy, there is nothing to show for it except poverty, hunger, and corruption.
“We celebrate the memory of the late Moshood Abiola for the sacrifice he made during the June 12 struggle. We will continue to enjoin the leaders who are now reaping from where they did not sow that they should be more democratic and stay away from corruption.
“We will continue to protest against bad governance, corruption, and economic hardship wherever we are, and we will not be intimidated by the empty threat of the DSS.”
The protest was peaceful and there were no reports of violence or arrests.
Democracy Day protesters in Lagos
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