PROTESTERS in Ughelli North shunned a protest arena arranged by the Ughelli north local government council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, the presence of security agents, turned out massively to protest against #Endbadgovernance, and incessant increase of price goods and services.
Displaying placards with inscriptions such as, End Bad Governance in Nigeria, ‘Reduce Fuel Price, ‘We dey hungry’, ‘We are for Peace’, the protesters accused the Nigerian government of making life unbearable for them after voting them into power.
The local government chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo Ksc, had earlier arranged Oharisi Primary School play ground as the venue for the protest, but the protesters shunned the venue and took to the streets of Ughelli metropolis.
Though the peaceful protest was however marred with the shooting tear gas by security agents stationed at Otovwodo junction, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Some women protesters who spoke to our correspondent at Otovwodo and Agbarha junctions said alleged that the chairman, Hon Jaro Egbo told them to withdraw from the protest that he has good offer for them after he has earlier bought drinks to calm them down.
Mrs. Eseoghene, comrade Peter and others disclosed that the degree of the hardship is much and cannot accept the offer of the chairman nor restrict them in one place.
Another female protester who identified her as Madam Pepper said, “I am personally joining this protest because, the hunger in the land is too much and it painful that prices of goods and services has become a nightmare us the commoners.
She said, “One piece of ice fish is N2,000, Basket of Garri is N4,000, a sack of pepper and onions is N150,000 each.. President Tinubu want to kill us, our children are dying of hunger and we will not accept it.
A judiciary worker who spoke on anonymous condition said, “During President Tinubu campaign,he promised to reduced our purchasing power and he has fulfilled his promises by starving Nigerians, and true to his campaigns,our purchasing power has been reduced.
A motorcycle rider, Mr Felix disclosed that the cost of living is on a daily rise in Nigeria, fuel is now been sold between N900-N1,000. How can we survive this.” He questioned.
However, the protest resulted into barricading of Otovwodo axis of the East West road as it was alleged that security agents fired canisters at the protesters.
The protesters resulted into burning of tyres at Agbarha and Otovwodo junctions after the incident by security agents.
One of the protesters who identified himself as Garba said, “When I saw that the protest was peaceful I joined and we were going peacefully but along the line, the police and army fired canisters at us.”
“We decided not to do anything because we had an accord with them that the protest is going to be peaceful but they broke the deal in other to give us bad names.” Ejiro stated.
