Peaceful protests were held on Thursday across Osun State amidst tight yet harmless security operatives stationed strategically throughout the state.
In Osogbo, protesters converged at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park before proceeding to the heart of the town at the Olaiya popular junction, where they staged their protest.
The protesters, who arrived at the protesting ground as early as 9:00 a.m., were seen singing solidarity songs to express their anger at the bad economy that has brought untold hardships into the lives of all and sundry in the country.
Armed with different inscriptions that read: “End bad government in Nigeria,” “We want food price control with immediate effect,” “Revert fuel price to pre-May 29 prices,” “We are angry because hunger is killing us,” “Tinubu should act fast to rebuild the country,” “Enough is enough, our sufferings must end,” amongst others,.
The angry protesters, who later marched around the town, mobilised themselves into a formidable group and were not prevented by the security operatives, who only monitored their movements to ensure the protest did not get out of hand.
Additionally, few eateries, supermarkets, shops, and other transaction stores were in operation as their owners deserted their shops, while scanty traders came out to trade in some markets like Igbonna, Akindeko, Oluode, and Oja-Oba, where they were patronised by few buyers.
Meanwhile, the protesters did not obstruct vehicular and human movements of the residents who were going out for their various businesses.
Many financial institutions like banks and other business enterprises in the town were under lock and key, while scanty filling stations were selling fuel to motorists and other road users in the town.
At the state secretariat in Osogbo, normal activities were not disrupted as workers reported to their different duty posts without being molested or victimised by the protesters who coordinated themselves in a well-behaved manner.
In other parts of the towns, like Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yorubas, Ijesa Land, and others, protesters were equally seen marching around the town in a peaceful manner without destroying any property belonging to the people of the towns.
Commercial vehicle operators and many Okada riders did not come out in the wee hours of the day for their businesses as usual, apparently to avoid being attacked by the protesters whose actions may not be predicted.
Their spokesperson from the Osun State Coordinator, Coalition of Concern Nigeria Citizen, Adetunji Ajala, charged the federal government to bring down the price of petroleum products to N180 per litre.
According to him, “Hunger, poverty, and bad policies of this administration are affecting all of us. We are here not because of any political affiliation, but because we are suffering due to the bad economy in the country.”
“The pump price is N800 per litre today. It is not a question of either the APC or PDP. What we are going through in this country is affecting everybody, and it was caused by bad governance.”
“Tinubu should review the policies. We are hungry. The protest is going to last for ten days. We want the pump price to return to N180 per litre,” he concluded.
Security operatives who were stationed around the state to ensure the safety of residents, lives, and properties monitored all activities of the protesters and maintained law and order as expected.
The state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, called for peace and unity in Nigeria. He also tasked the military and other security services to redouble their efforts to sustain national stability.
Senator Adeleke made this call when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, in Osogbo.
The Governor, who held hours of closed-door sessions with the GOC on sustaining peace and stability, emphasized the importance of the military’s support in ensuring that the democratic process remains intact.
The Governor praised the Nigerian Army for its unwavering respect for democratic institutions, stressing that loyalty is fundamental for the stability of the nation.
Governor Adeleke stated further that in an era marked by anxiety and the need for protection of lives and property, the collaboration between the political class and the security sector becomes indispensable in providing adequate protection for the citizenry.
He told the visiting military delegation that his government has taken all necessary precautions to ensure that Osun remains peaceful without conflicts, despite planned nationwide demonstrations.
“Let me assure you that we have taken all necessary precautions. We just finished a stakeholders’ meeting, and we are all resolved to sustain peace and tranquilly in our state of the living spring,” the governor told the GOC and his delegation.
In his address, the GOC 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Onubogu, said his visit to Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, underscores a critical period in Nigeria’s journey towards stability and unity.
According to him, “The visit not only signifies a reaffirmation of the military’s loyalty to democratic principles but also highlights the essential role of the armed forces in maintaining peace during turbulent times.”
He commended Governor Adeleke’s commitment to ensuring that Osun State remains the most peaceful state in the country and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
Major General Onubogu emphasised the role of the military in upholding democratic principles and maintaining peace, particularly in handling protests and demonstrations. He added that the partnership between the Nigerian Army and the Osun State government stands as a model for maintaining peace and stability, ensuring that Osun remains a beacon of tranquilly within the federation.
