Residents of Enugu State participated in a nationwide protest by staying at home, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current economic and social conditions. While most residents chose to stay indoors, a group of peaceful protesters took to the streets.
The protest caused a significant halt in the daily activities of the metropolis. Shops, malls, fuel stations, banks, and major motor parks were closed, leaving the streets almost deserted with minimal vehicular movement.
The group, known as the Office of the Citizens, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Enugu branch, organized a march starting from Naira Triangle and ending at Michael Okpara Square. They carried placards with messages such as “End corruption in Nigeria,” “Say no to corruption,” “End hardship,” “Let our vote count,” “Free INEC,” “Reduce fuel price,” and “Listen to youths’ cries.”
Comrade Onyebuchi Igboke, leading the protest, criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being insensitive to the nationwide hardship. He highlighted the unity in suffering among Nigerians, regardless of religious or regional differences. Igboke condemned the divide-and-rule tactics of politicians and questioned the government’s direction, citing issues like non-functional refineries, widespread hunger, insecurity, high unemployment rates, and the devaluation of the naira.
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Igboke also addressed the silence of South East leaders regarding the suppression of the Igbo voice in Lagos since the 2023 general elections. He urged these leaders to speak up and demanded the President and Governors take action to prevent a recurrence of past conflicts.
The protest leader reminded the government that democracy is about the governance of voice, and criticized the high cost of governance and the inadequacy of security personnel, with many assigned to VIPs rather than protecting the general populace. He called for a reduction in the President’s cabinet and a fight against corruption, particularly questioning the removal of fuel subsidies without addressing those benefiting from it.