Normalcy Returns to Ibadan as Protesters Stay Back
Ibadan, which used to be a centre for protests in the country, has surprisingly returned to calm and normalcy has taken over the biggest city in West Africa even though some other capital cities in Nigeria are still grappling with the (violent) protests.
On Thursday, several people came out to demonstrate against the problems of the country. They carried placards and sang solidarity songs at some areas including Idi-Ape, Gate, Mokola, Challenge and popular junction, Iwo Road.
Protests in the city were generally peaceful although there was a fisticuff in Iwo Road Area on Thursday. It wasn’t unusual for louts to engage in brawls in that particular axis. But since Thursday, there have been no issues. As a matter of fact, there is free flow of vehicles in that area.
Perhaps he was aware there wouldn’t be any breakdown of law and order, the state governor Seyi Makinde travelled few days to the commencement of the anger against hardship and anger. Critics said that he was shying away from his duties. He nevertheless went on to take his vacation.
Our correspondents toured round the city to see the situations of things. They reported that everywhere was calm and people are already going about their daily businesses.
They were at key and busy areas including Iwo Road, Idi-Ape, Gate, Beere, Dugbe, Mokola, Challenge, Ojoo and Olodo in Egbeda Local Government Area. There were actually scanty people in the markets in the areas, but everywhere was peaceful.
Schools remain shut. Online Parrot News found out that they were already on vacation and they would have started their summer classes but for the fear of violence, they are yet to start.
Our correspondents talked with a number of Ibadan residents. They all expressed their dissatisfaction with how President Bola Tinubu is handling the economy of the country. They condemned most of his policies including the removal of subsidy. They also accused him of inaction for failing to even address the protesters and their demands.
A resident, who called herself Bukola said, “The president seems to be far away from us and the reality. He doesn’t appear to care about what is happening to us. It’s really bad.”
A driver at Olodo refused to give his name, but talked to our correspondents. He said, “Nigerians should blame the All Progressives Congress in general, not Bola Tinubu alone. Former President Muhammadu Buhari started bad governance, Tinubu only continues from where Buhari stopped.”
