Ibadan residents on Monday took to the streets to protest high cost of living occasioned by the dwindling economic fortunes of the country. The protesters, mostly youth brandished different placards bearing various protest inscriptions, including ‘Ebi nnpa wa’, ‘End food hike and inflation’, ‘The poor is starving’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises’, amongst others.
Armed policemen were on hand to prevent a breakdown of order and possible hijack of the demonstration by unscrupulous elements, just as the protesters conducted themselves in orderly manners.
Protesters march through major roads between Mokola under-bridge and Queen Elizabeth Road in the busy state capital.
Before now, Nigerians have embarked on similar protests in other parts of the nation, including Ota, Ogun State, Minna Niger state and Lagos state.
Nigerians have in recent times, been complaining about the raising cost of food stuffs in the market. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), recently published that Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rose to 29.90 per cent in January from 28.92 per cent in December 2023, compared to 26.98 per cent when the president declared a state of emergency on food security.
While reacting to an earlier similar protest in Minna, Labour Party’s Spokesperson, Obiorah Ufoh lamented that the situation was getting out of hand
He said: “As of today, essential commodities such as rice, garri, flour, garri, and protein have witnessed exponential increase in prices since January. For instance, a carton of Indomie noodles now sells for N10,000, a 50kg bag of sugar is now selling at N73, 000 as against N62, 000 sold in early January. A bag of cement now sells upward of N7000 against N5500, a bag of rice rising above N70,000, while a kg of meat now sells for N4000, amongst others,” the opposition party said, adding that it was aware that the organised Labour and the government have been in a long protracted dialogue on a possible salary increase for civil servants.
“There is an air of despondency across the nation. The immediate fallout of this situation are increasing crime particularly among the youths who are desperate to remain alive; incidences of suicide are in upswing. It has now become a familiar scene for people to jump into the Lagoon, hang themselves or take lethal substances.”
