A coalition of civil societies has announced a mass protest against the escalating hardship and hunger in Nigeria under the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The protest, slated for June 12, is a response to the soaring prices of essential amenities, including fuel, food, transportation, electricity, and school fees, which have become unaffordable for many Nigerians.
The coalition, comprising the Take-It-Back Movement, African Action Congress party, Joint Action Front, Education Rights Campaign, Socialist Workers and Youth League, and PRP Vanguard, condemned the government’s policies, which they claim have exacerbated the suffering of citizens, according to Sahara Reporters.
The groups urged Nigerians to join the protest and demand urgent action from the government to address the crisis.
The protest is expected to draw thousands of citizens who have been affected by the harsh economic conditions.
The organisations made this known in a statement they jointly issued and captioned, “Enough is Enough to Hardship and Hunger Great Nigerian People.”
According to the organisations, since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu removed fuel subsidy, Nigerians have been plunged into greater hardship and hunger as prices of fuel, food, transport, electricity, school fees and other basic amenities have skyrocketed beyond what average Nigerians can afford.
They said, “Hardly is any average Nigerian able to feed. We are hungry. Our children are hungry. Our youth are becoming criminals and prostitutes. Things are hard.
“Meanwhile, those who put us in this problem continue to feed on fat. President Tinubu, the First Lady and the First son have turned Nigeria’s common wealth into their private feeding bottle.
“The governors, senators, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members are collecting fat salaries and allowances.
“Their friends in business like Aliko Dangote and other thieves, are also smiling to the bank. Yet they tell us to tighten our belts.
“We say enough is enough. IF YOU ARE HUNGRY AND ANGRY, then let us do something about our condition. Don’t sleep at home expecting your condition to become better by miracle.
“As they say, heaven help those who help themselves. We must stop agonizing, let’s start organizing. Join us on a peaceful mass protest.
“Let’s take Nigeria back from the capitalist vultures who have bled it dry. The time for system change is Now.”
