June 12: Massive protest in Ibadan against hunger, insecurity, others

Coalition of Civil Socialists, Labour Activists and Students against hardship and hunger in Oyo state Thursday staged protest in Ibadan against “economic hardship, insecurity and genuine electoral reforms.”

The protesters had converged in Mokola round about area of Ibadan as early as 7.15am and embarked on the peaceful rally as exactly as 8am from Mokola to Adamasingba and Dugbe areas of the city.

During the protest, members of the coalition, Labour leaders and the students were chanting songs condemning the “economic hardship, insecurity in the country as well as demanding geniue electoral reforms in Nigeria.

The protesters were seen carrying placards having inscriptions like “End Hunger, Hardship, Insecurity,’ “Reverse All International Monetary Fund/World Bank,” ‘anti-poor policies, and end attacks on democratic rights for genuine electoral reform” among others.

Oyo state coordinator of Joint Action Front, (JAF) and former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of University, (ASUU) University of Ibadan, Professor Ademola Aremu while speaking on the protest charged governments at all levels to pay more attention to the masses.

“We are saying attention should be given to the insecurity. We are saying we want people to be able to sleep and sleep well,” he said.

Prof Aremu added: “We want people to travel and have peace of mind. We are saying the farmers should go back to the farm and be able to cultivate. This is what we want from our governments.”

Amidst the peaceful protest, security operatives were at strategic locations around the areas where the protests took place.