Edo CSOs withdraw from #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest 

Some Civil Society Organisations in Edo on Saturday said they have withdrawn from the ongoing nationwide protest against bad government and hunger.

In a press conference in Benin on Saturday, one of the leaders of the protest, Curtis Ugbebor, said that the withdrawal was due to an intelligence report and the need to re-strategise.

He said, “At this junction, due to an intelligent report, the CSO is withdrawing from the protest to restrategise and that is not to say that Nigerians who wish to express themselves cannot do so.

“But I will want to say that we have achieved a lot and stated our demands which we expect the government to look into. This has been achieved without bloodshed and destruction of properties

“We shall continue to ensure that the federal and state government address the demand of Edo State citizens.”

Another leader of the protest, Emmanuel Ogude, urged the government to ensure hunger ends in the country, noting that politicians should earn minimum wage.

He said, “Every politician that wants to serve must be placed under the national minimum wage because there is hunger in the land. We want the electricity tariff and fuel price to be returned to where the administration met it. All federal roads leading to Edo State should be fixed with immediate effect. We want the government to adhere to our demands.

However, at Ring Road, the venue of the protest on Saturday, the protesters turned out in numbers, dancing to popular songs and then moved round the Ring Road.

At a point, the organisers became apprehensive of a group that showed up midway into the protest.

One of the planning committee members, who gave his name as Ero, said that the group had to be watched carefully as the organisers were bent on keeping the protest peaceful.

The police and other security agencies were on hand to provide security for the protesters and blocked all the entry points to the venue to prevent hoodlums from infiltrating the protest.

Businesses opened on Lagos Street and Oba Market as residents used the opportunity to buy goods especially food items while vehicular and human movements also improved.