By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A popular Nigerian preacher on Thursday led demonstrators on a street protest in the country’s North Central city of Jos, Plateau State, drawing the attention of government to growing hunger among the populace, economic difficulties, inflation and skyrocketing cost-of-living.
Dr Isa El-buba, the General Overseer and President El-buba Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI) joined in the 10-day protest that has been gathering momentum on the social media starting from August 1.
El-buba, who is also the national coordinator of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), said the protest tagged #EndBadGovernance will be peaceful within the vicinity where he leads.
The protesters converged on the Plateau Secretariat overhead bridge in the early hours of Thursday from where they headed towards old airport roundabout Jos.
While addressing the protesters, he highlighted the suffering of Nigerians and asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse “anti-people policies”.
Buba specifically mentioned the removal of fuel subsidy, high electricity tariff, and high cost of living as some of the worries of the protesters.
Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful in the state.
Heritage Times HT reports that the protest is taking place simultaneously across the country, grounding social and economic activities as most government and private offices were shut down.
Several appeals by the government to have the protest organisers shelve their plan failed as angry citizens came out in their large numbers to demonstrate against policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led government that has heightened poverty in the over 200 million population.
The government had urged for more patience as it addresses the twin challenges of poverty and insecurity, amidst decaying public infrastructure.
Security operatives have deployed stiff resistance against the protesters in several cities, including the country’s capital, Abuja where teargas was fired at demonstrators who attempted to access a government facility, the Eagles Square to hold protest.
