Day 2: Osun protest continues, as Nigerian youths insist on end to bad governance
Residents of Osun State have once again taken to the streets of Osogbo for the second day of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
On Friday, protesters flooded the major streets of Osogbo to push their demands on the government. They vowed to keep protesting until their concerns are addressed.
The demonstrators said they had hoped the government would listen after their protest on Thursday, but felt their demands were ignored.
On Thursday, August 1, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens marched through Osogbo, starting from Freedom Park, moving to Olaiya Junction, and then to the Osun State House of Assembly. There were also protests in Ile-Ife, where people sang songs and held banners with messages like “We want food price control with immediate effect,” “Revert fuel price to Pre-May 29, 2023 price,” and “Local Government is the key to national and economic development.”
On Friday, the protesters moved from Old Garage to Olaiya Junction, escorted by security personnel to ensure peace.
Ajala Adetunji, coordinator of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, called for a return to a corruption-free subsidy system to alleviate hunger and poverty. Adetunji stated: “Hunger, poverty, and bad policy are affecting all of us. We are here not because of any political party or money. We are here because of the community we belong to.
“The youth population is the largest and they are suffering the most. The highest office in the land is the office of the citizen. We are not afraid of anyone. We are exercising our rights according to the Nigerian constitution. We are fighting for the people. Petrol price is N800 today. This issue affects everyone, not just APC or PDP.
“Tinubu should review these policies. We are hungry. The protest will last ten days, but we will adjust for the Osun-Osogbo festival.”
Emmanuel Olowu, Chairman of the Committee for Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), emphasized the need for the federal government to investigate and recover funds from past and present leaders who have stolen from the treasury. He suggested that recovered funds should be used for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Olowu also urged the government to invest in public works and industrialization to create jobs for young Nigerians. He called for more investment in education, grants for students, and a push for free and compulsory education for all children in Nigeria.
Security personnel were present to maintain order and ensure the protests remained peaceful.
