BEVERLY HILLS, May 31, (THEWILL) – Protesters on Monday hit the streets of Lagos to protest the increasing state of insecurity and poverty ravaging the country.
The protesters, who included trade unions, civil society, students, farmers and peasants, were led by Human rights lawyer, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), Jaye Gaskiya, a foremost activist, and Folarin Falana, the musician son of the Senior Advocate also known as Falz.
Filing out under the aegis of the Peoples Alternative Political Movement, the protesters marched from the busy Ikeja Bus Stop to the Governor’s Office, through the Lagos State Secretariat, to the Lagos State House of Assembly, chanting protest songs.
The movement is a coalition of hundreds of groups including: the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates; the Alliance On Surviving COVID 19 And Beyond; Joint Action Front; Coalition Of Northern Groups; Green Alliance Nigeria; CONGOS-Edo; North East Development Association; and other affiliates.
The demonstration, which was tagged, “Enough is Enough,” lasted for several hours as youth bore placards that read, “No to Exploitation and Multiple Taxation,” “Provide Jobs or Unemployment Benefits for Youths,” “Provide Security in Schools,” “End Kidnapping and Banditry,” and “Stop Killings, Secure Nigeria.”
Gaskiya said the protest was organised to express displeasure over how badly the country had degenerated.
He expressed worry that Nigeria, characterised by extreme poverty, arms proliferation, religious intolerance, the rise of hate and ethnic nationalist, was moving towards social upheaval due to exploitation of the people and greed.