Virtually all major streets in Benin City, the Edo State capital were deserted on Thursday as a result of the “end bad governance” protests.
Bsinesses were not opened and many people chose to stay indoors obviously to avoid the scenari of #EndSARS protest of 2020 that went violent.
All the major roads leading to the Oba Ovonramwen Square, also known as Ring Road, where the protesters gathered were empty.
The roads include Ekheuan Road, Akpakpava Road, Sapele Road, Airport Road and Sokponba Road.
All the banks and other big business outlets on the major roads were also closed for business while there was heavy security in government buildings.
At the state House of Assembly Complex, there was heavy presence of police with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and dozens of armed men while there were red flags at the precincts of the Benin and Oko Prisons. The courts were not also spared of heavy security presence.
At the city centre where the protesters gathered, they mounted a stage opposite the Museum which was locked with loud music of “revolutionary” singers like Fela, Eedris Abdulkareem, African China and others blaring from the Speakers.
Addressing the crowd, one of the leaders Osunbor Kelly Omokaro said they “must take Nigeria back from the politicians who have held us ransom in our father land. We are not for violence but we want the government to hear our cry”
To Leftist Austin Enabulele “We are not out to destroy, we must take our Nigeria, Nigeria does not belong to Tinubu, Nigeria does not belong to Akpabio but we must not also forget that the state and local governments are part of the government.
Our governors are not doing enough, the Supreme Court has given financial them financial autonomy and we must begin to hold them responsible and accountable.”
Another protester, Mrs Anny Umoru said “ I am one of those who have come out protest and to ensure that there is a peaceful protest, I envisage a peaceful protest and I also envisage that our message will be passed across to the authorities and then they must take action on it. We want to make it a three day protest” while Emmanuel Ogbidi said “They should reduce the pump price of petrol, the government must reduce the price of petrol, bring back subsidies and stop the corruption in the subsidy administration.”
Another leader of the organisers, Kola Edokpayi said the protest has been peaceful but pass a vote of no confidence on political leaders in the country saying “We don’t need to consult the oracle of the hill and the caves to demystify it for us that the protest here is very peaceful, it is the voice of the unheard it is very sad that we have presidents and governors, local government chairmen that have failed woefully in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility” to another activist, Roy Oribhabo “This is a product of frustration, this is a product of derivation, this is a product of hunger, you can now see poverty, hunger walking physically in the streets of Nigeria and we are saying no, government is too far away from the commoners.”
The Edo State Commissioner of Police visits, Funsho Adedayo, who visited the protesters at about 10:44 am, commended them for their peaceful conduct, and urged them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere as he promised to supply them water and snacks.
“This is what I have been saying that this protest must be peaceful, like I have said, to protest is your fundamental human right that nobody can take away from you but I am impressed by what you have done. Edo state should be the model for other states to copy. All our men that are here, are here to protect you and I am supporting this peaceful exercise with water and some snacks for you.” The Edo Police boss promised
There were skirmishes, however, in the outskirts of the city centre as suspected hoodlums tried to hijack the process.
In the Country Home area Off Sapele Road some suspected hoodlums mounted a bonfire as early as 6:30 am and were collecting N500 for those who want to cross into the town, Similar experiences happened in Okagbare, Ikueniro, Upper Mission Road and others. At Iduowina behind Bethel Faith Academy, a trailer load of rice was looted allegedly belonging to the state government.
At Upper Sokponba, the youth as early as 7.00 am blocked the roads playing football at the center of the road with occasional interjection from vehicles which were promptly searched to ensure they were not carrying passengers.
