There was significant presence of government security operatives across Lagos today, as residents gathered with caution to protest the spiralling economic hardship in the country.
A group of protesters were seen at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos while reports say that other residents who planned to hit the streets in protest were scared away by the presence of police officers, some of whom were armed.
At Ajah underbridge, officers occasionally displayed a show of force blaring sirens and occasionally stepping down from their vehicles to check for glitches.
In addition to the officers of the Nigeria Police Force, officials from the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps sighted at strategic locations
The obviously tired and frail protesters who dared to brace the odds were seen united in their cause as they passionately sang songs of solidarity while holding up placards and banners to convey their message.
Some of the placards they were holding had inscriptions like: ‘President Tinubu, let the poor breathe’, ‘For another general strike with mass protest now’, and ‘Payment of living wage to all Nigerian workers now.”
According to The PUNCH, some civil society groups, including the Take It Back Movement, the Education Rights Campaign, the Coalition for Revolution and the Socialist Workers League, joined in the protest.https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1800838961348432261
The protest is coming shortly after President Bola Tinubu gave his assurance to Nigerians that the current national reforms are aimed at “fixing” the economy, not causing hardship.
Tinubu, speaking to the nation following the 2024 Democracy Day on Wednesday, emphasized that the reforms being implemented are aimed at establishing a stronger and more resilient foundation for future growth.
Tinubu sympathised with the masses, saying he understood the current economic difficulties ravaging the nation.
“There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship. Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay and compensation for his endeavour and labour.
“As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.
“Our economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades. It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil.
“I say to you here and now that as we celebrate the enshrinement of our political democracy, let us commit ourselves to the fulfilment of its equally important counterpart, the realisation of our economic democracy.
“I understand the economic difficulties we face as a nation.
“As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you,” the president assured.