Fatshimetrie, the Citizens’ Group for a Better Nigeria, has called on Osun residents to take to the streets to protest the dire economic situation and unsustainable price hikes in the country.
At a press conference held in Osogbo, the group’s coordinator, Adetunji Ajala, expressed dismay at the lack of response by the President Bola Tinubu-led government to the demands raised during the #EndBadGovernance protest last month.
After the end of the previous mobilization to end bad governance, it became clear that the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not willing to listen to the voice of the people. Instead of alleviating the suffering of the citizens, the government has increased the burden of hunger and distress on the Nigerian people.
According to Adetunji Ajala, it is evident that the current administration is turning a deaf ear to peaceful calls to regulate fuel prices and alleviate the starvation plaguing a large section of the population. This is what prompted the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Instead of alleviating the suffering of the people, the Bola Tinubu-led government has chosen to increase the price of fuel, leading to a hike in the prices of basic necessities in the market, as well as housing and accommodation costs, while the new minimum wage is yet to be implemented in many states of the country.
Against this backdrop, the group urges residents of the state to join the peaceful protest to make our voices heard and air our grievances, stressing that there is nothing worth celebrating on this Independence Day. For us, it is a “National Survival Day”.
The current socio-economic situation in Nigeria raises legitimate concerns among the population, going beyond mere political grievances to directly affect the survival and well-being of millions of Nigerians. It is imperative that the government responds to the priority needs of its citizens and seeks sustainable solutions to alleviate the economic hardships faced by the majority of the population.