Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has attributed the rising hardship in the country to the Federal Government’s policies. This statement comes in the wake of hunger protests in Edo State, where demonstrators held a church service on the streets.
In his address, Governor Obaseki highlighted that his administration has initiated several people-oriented programs aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by Edo residents amid the nation’s economic difficulties. Key initiatives include increasing the minimum wage for workers to N70,000 to enhance purchasing power, launching a free transportation scheme through the Edo City Transport Service, providing free Wi-Fi in public areas for telecommuting, and initiating a state-wide feeding program for vulnerable individuals in collaboration with various religious institutions.
“The protest is clearly a reflection of the adverse living conditions endured by Nigerians, especially over the past year, due to various Federal Government policies,” Obaseki stated. He emphasized that these policies have led to skyrocketing food prices, escalating transportation costs, surging inflation, and significant losses for small business owners nationwide.
Obaseki assured that the Edo State government has taken decisive actions to mitigate the suffering of its citizens amid the national challenges. The ongoing protests, part of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance movement, included a church service on the road at Agho Junction on Ekehuan Road, where protesters sang and danced, calling for an end to poor governance while restricting vehicular movement in the area.
As tensions continue, reports indicate that some civil society organizations had temporarily withdrawn from the protests, awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s address before deciding their next steps. However, Coordinated by the Edo State Civil Society Organization’s Agho Omobude, the protests are slated to last ten days, escalating if protesters’ demands remain unaddressed. Authorities have deployed soldiers to major roads to manage potential disruptions caused by the protests.
