Activist begins seven-day hunger strike in Anambra

A human rights activist and the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Anambra State, Vincent Ezekwueme, has embarked on a seven-day hunger strike as his means of protest.

Ezekwueme said the hunger strike was his way of expressing dissatisfaction with the current socio-economic situation in the country.

“The escalating hardship, hunger, anger, poverty, unemployment, high cost of foodstuff, insecurity, and hopelessness forced me to embark on this journey as self-sacrifice since all pleas for leaders especially politicians to curtail the sufferings of Nigerians fell on deaf ear.

“I took the decision (hunger strike) also in support and solidarity with Nigerians protesting for available, accessible affordable foodstuff, overarching benevolent servant governance, employment, goods and services, conducive business environment and socio-economic justice,” said the human rights activist while fielding questions from journalists  in Onitsha on Thursday

On palliatives, the CLO boss appealed to the Federal Government to channel palliatives to citizens through religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, and not political leaders.

He said the politicians said they used it to compensate their cronies, loyalists, relations, and friends, thereby defeating the laudable intention of the government.

Major Nigerian cities are witnessing protests against bad economic situation that they said has pushed many into extreme poverty.

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, some protesters who converged at the MKO Abiola Stadium said the protests would continue unless President Bola Tinubu meets their demands.

They called on the president to do the needful and the protests would be immediately called off.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, lamented that the oppression under the president’s leadership had lasted too long.

He said, “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration.

”Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long.

“Today, we have risen. We saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accede to our demands we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”

One of the leaders of the Take It Back Movement, Ayoola Babalola, said the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola is an embarrassment to the nation.

He vowed that protesters would not be intimidated.