PHOTOS: Low turnout as Nigerians begin nationwide protest

MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that the most hyped nationwide protest in Nigeria has began to turn to a flop with a low turnout of protesters across the country.

Our correspondent who visited some areas in Ibadan reported that only few people gathered to embark on the nationwide protest unlike during the #Endsars protest that youths participated actively. 

According to a video on social media, a procession of protesters was seen marching from the University of Ibadan towards Awolowo Road in the Ibadan area.

The leader of the protest, whose identity was not disclosed, addressed the fellow demonstrators, stating that the purpose of the protest is to convey their displeasure with the government’s policies that have led to widespread poverty among Nigerians.

“We are using this opportunity to tell the governments at all levels that enough is enough,” the leader said. “Nigerians can no longer survive the present economic hardship in the country.”

The leader further noted that the peaceful protest will last for 10 days, with daily sessions scheduled from 8 am to 11 am. This arrangement, he explained, will allow participants to continue with their daily activities after the protest.

Multiple reports however suggested that only few members of Take It Back Movement, a group under the control of Omoyrele Sowore have been seen staging protest in Abuja.

Addressing newsmen in the FCT, the Director of Mobilization of the group, Damilare Adenola, lamented that the oppression under the president’s leadership had lasted too long.

He said, “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration.

”Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.

“Today, we have risen. We saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accede to our demands we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”

One of the leaders of the Take It Back Movement, Ayoola Babalola, said the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola is an embarrassment to the nation.

He vowed that protesters would not be intimidated.

But in Lagos, our correspondent gathered that protesters are not in sight yet at Ojota but the police are on the ground.

It was a different case in Kano as few protesters attempted to break Kano store during protest. 

MOUTHPIECE NGR gathered that the Operatives of the Kano State Police Command quickly moved in to stall their action. However, before the arrival of security operatives, the suspects had destroyed windows of the building.

So far, there is low compliance with the protest against hunger in the ancient city as many residents are indoor.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had, on Wednesday, said he had intelligence that evil-minded persons were plotting to hijack the protest.

The governor, who invited genuine protesters to Government House, Kano, warned trouble makers to steer clear of the state.

As at the time of filling this report, no substantial report yet in other states regarding the nationwide protest except Edo state with some UNIBEN students on street demonstrating. 

Some Nigerians however have argued that the organizers of the protest are those who lost election and trying to use hunger that has been around since the time of Obasanjo and Jonathan’s regime to cause unrest in the country. 

A commentator said, “Tinubu is their target simply because they lost election”

Roads and streets of some states are presently deserted as armed security personnel take strategic positions across the metropolis.

More to come…