Protesters shut down Ibadan, Ogbomosho, others

Ibadan was on Monday shut down as a coalition of civil society organisations, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Students Union Government, University of Ibadan embarked on what they tagged, ‘1.5 million march’ against the removal of fuel subsidy.

The protesters took off from the state secretariat of the NLC, Agodi, Ibadan and marched through major streets in the city chanting anti Federal Government songs. They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We don’t want Badluck,’ ‘This is not the Nigeria of our dream,’ ‘Jonathan, you have failed the people’ etc.

There were, however, disagreements between the protesters and the police at Mokola and the state secretariat. Some of the protesters vandalised the state Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibadan.

At Amuloko area and Akanran, Ona Ara Local Government Council of the state, vehicular movement was prevented by angry residents who made bonfire as early as 7am. Major markets were closed down, while some youths were seen playing football on the streets.

In Ogbomoso, the situation was similar as bonfire was made on major roads. At the popular Takie Square, people gathered to sing anti Federal Government songs.

At Mapo Hall, Ibadan, some union leaders addressed the protesters on the need to press on with the struggle until their demand was met.

A former Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Ademola Aremu, recalled that between 1999 and 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo increased the pump price of fuel five times.

He said, “They told us that they would use the money to improve on infrastructure but we don’t trust them anymore. They should shut illegal refineries and hire the boys engaging in illegal refining to work on the refineries. Jonathan, David Mark and the governors have failed us. It is either they reverse the price of petrol, resign or reverse the so-called subsidy.”

Chairman of Trade Union Congress in the state, Mr. Bayo Ajayi, said, “We have started the protest and there is no going back until the price is reversed. Nigerians will not give up the fight until the price is reversed.”

Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. M. Obajinmi, said, “We contend with infrastructural deficit such as bad road network, poorly maintained hospitals, ill equipped schools and more. Everything is at the detriment of the Nigerian masses. Painfully, our legislature and the executive continue to milk the nation dry with high cost of governance.”

Former President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, said, “We must call the bluff of this government. President Jonathan is not a man of integrity. We want the government to do our bidding not us doing their bidding.”

The Babaloja of Oyo State Mr. S. Oladapo, said, “The people will not let off the steam until government yields to our demand.”

The Chairman, Atayese Movement, Tokunbo Ajasin said with the removal of subsidy, the masses no longer benefited from the government.

The Chairman of NBA in Oyo State, Mr. Lukam Laoye, who said that the fuel pump price was only N17 in Iran, contended that the price of petrol was too high in the country.

The Convener, Nigeria Voters’ Assembly, Moshood Erubami, said the Federal Government had burdened the citizens with the task of fuelling the generator, providing security, water and local maintenance of roads.