Tinubu promised hope but renewed Nigerians’ hardship, protesting Osun residents say
The residents of Osun State have trooped to the streets to protest the rising cost of living under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.
The latest demonstration came a few days after the Minna and Kano States residents protested the prevailing hardship following Mr Tinubu’s economic policies.
The protesting Osun residents, mainly youths, said the country’s economic situation, particularly the hike in food prices, was no longer affordable and bearable.
The protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as “Nigerians are suffering, we can’t cope again,” “We are humans, stop mistreating the citizens,” and “Change the unfavourable policies,” among others.
The chairman of Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Waheed Lawal, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said the high cost of living is sending many Nigerians to their early graves.
Mr Lawal noted that Nigerians deserved the best under Mr Tinubu, threatening that the federal government should expect more protest from the masses or find solutions to the hardship ravaging the nation.
“Nigerians deserve the best. They promised us renewed hope, but what they are giving us now is renewed hardship. We reject renewed hardship in our lives and our economy because Nigerians deserve the best.
“We have started this struggle today, and if the government fails to listen to us, we will continue to mobilise our people to protest this hardship because enough is enough,” he lamented.
While stressing that the economy continues to worsen over the present administration, Mr Lawal also said the security challenge was taking its toll on the people.
“What Nigerians want is a peaceful atmosphere. We don’t want insecurity in our land again. We can’t travel from Osogbo to Ibadan without panicking. You will be thinking that they will kidnap you,” said Mr Lawal, who cited the abductions of traditional rulers in recent times.
“Every government that fails to provide security for the lives of the citizens is no longer a government. What we are saying is simple: we are ready to face the government in this hardship, and we are marathon runners,” he added.
In a temporary response to the tension in the country and growing food crisis, Mr Tinubu ordered the immediate release of more than 102,000 metric tons of grain types from the National Food Reserve and Rice Millers Association of Nigeria on Thursday.
Mr Tinubu has received knocks from Nigerians who hoped his emergence would stabilise the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command earlier warned protesting youth against infiltration by hijackers planning to use the opportunity to perpetuate violence.
The command’s public relations officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, gave the warning in a press release on X.
