Frustrated residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State, took to the streets on Monday regarding the skyrocketing costs of living. Hundreds blocked major roads, chanting songs in protest.
The prices for essentials like bread and rice have surged out of reach for many. Demonstrators said their families face unbearable daily hardship.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba who addressed the crowds, acknowledged the people’s economic pain saying that the government is working to cut costs from fuel subsidy removal
This erupting crisis comes as President Bola Tinubu continues facing criticism over inflation. Opposition party candidate and former vice President, Atiku Abubakar had exchanged words with the government this weekend on account of the economic policies
In response, Tinubu’s aide Bayo Onanuga had admitted reforms will initially be uncomfortable for Nigerians. But he argued they will enable future prosperity.
Weighing in, social activist and former Senator in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, described the protest in Minna, Niger State, as a call for immediate and impactful measures to address the problems of the epidemic of poverty in the country.
Noting that protests against the cost of living was also done in other European cities experiencing economic pains.
“The protest in Minna, Niger State against the high cost of living falls within the ambit of the right to peaceful dissent. Protest against the cost of living was also done in other European cities experiencing economic pains.
“The protest is simply a message and a call for immediate and impactful measures to address the problems of the epidemic of poverty in the country,” he wrote in a post on X (formally twitter)
