Edo State: Mild Protest Even as Streets in Benin City Are deserted
There was a mild Protest in Benin City on Thursday as a result of the "end bad governance" just as businesses were not opened and many people chose to stay indoors obviously to avoid the #EndSARS protest of 2020 that went violent.
All the major roads leading to the city centre known as Oba Ovonramwen Square 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 in these 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, 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.”
On her part, 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.”
Commissioner of Police visits
At about 10:44 am, the Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye visited the protesters where he commended them for the peaceful conduct and urged them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere as he promised to supply them water and snacks.
He said “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.”
Skirmishes in the outskirts The peaceful atmosphere in the city centre was the same in the outskirts of the city 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 experienc
