By Ifeanyi Olannye
THE #ENDBADGOVERNANCE in Nigeria protest was peaceful on Thursday in Asaba as protesters marched through some streets, demanding, mainly, for reduction in the cost of foodstuffs.
sBanks, shopping malls, Federal and State Secretariats under locks and keys with heavy security presence were seen at strategic places in Asaba, Okpanam
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters, who gathered at about 10 a.m at the Interbua Roundabout, Asaba marched through the popular Nnebisi Road to the Koka Junction on the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
The protesters, who chanted: “Hunger dey” and sang solidarity songs, urged federal and state governments to also reduce fuel price and create employment for youths, among others.
Heavy presence of security personnel, including soldiers, escorted the protesters while many others held sway in major landmarks in the city.
The roads were free as most private individuals stayed at home, commercial motorcyclists operated freely while residents engaged in their businesses unhindered.
On the eve of the protest, the leadership of the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) worldwide had announced its withdrawal from the 10 -day protest, which started on Thursday, Aug. 1.
The withdrawal notice by its National Coordinator, Jator Abido, urged the government at all levels to urgently take decisive steps to fix the economy to ameliorate the hardship faced by citizens.
Abido said the withdrawal was informed by a meeting with some stakeholders in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The NDDC Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, its Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ugboku, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief Denis Otuaro, the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), other stakeholders in the region met and urged the youths to shun the protest. (NAN)
