On Monday, residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State, took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the high cost of living in Nigeria, causing disruptions on major roads in the city. The protesters, comprising women and youths, passionately chanted protest songs, drawing the attention of onlookers, including police officers.
The demonstrators voiced their grievances, citing the escalating prices of essential food items and what they perceived as inadequate government efforts to address the situation. Their decision to block major roads was a collective attempt to make the government listen to their concerns.
Niger State's Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, addressed the protesters, acknowledging the challenges faced by families due to the current economic conditions. He assured them that the government is actively working to alleviate the cost of living and mitigate the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies.
In a related development, a war of words erupted between the president and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday. Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), lamented the prevailing hunger in the country, citing the increasing inaccessibility of basic commodities like bread for average Nigerians in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
In a swift response, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused Atiku of assuming the role of a poor opposition-in-chief. Onanuga defended President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, acknowledging that they might cause immediate discomfort but asserting that they would ultimately lead to prosperity in the medium and long term.
