Nigerian Students Kicks Off Nationwide Protest Over Increase In Electricity, Petrol Price [Photos]

The students under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have embarked on a nationwide march to protest the recent increase in price of petrol and electricity in the country.

The protesters who hit the streets on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, are also expressing their anger against the increase in the cost of living in the country.

It was gathered that NANS are protesting in multiple states in the country including Ogun, Osun, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory, while they carried placards with different inscriptions and saing anti-government songs.

Kowe Odunayo Amos, Coordinator of NANS (Zone D), had described the increase in stamp duty cost, PMS, electricity tariff and others as punishment to Nigerians given the prevailing economic hardship in the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

He stated that students would continue to speak against any anti-people policies of the government and asked President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet members to reverse the pump price or resign.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the protesters, who comprised of students, workers, and civil society groups, were led by the Chairman, Joint Campus Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mayowa Opakunle.

The protesters gathered at the Awolowo Junction area of the state capital to express their displeasure over the current hardship in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Opakunle said that protesters are against the increment of the fuel price and the electricity tariff, noting that Nigerian are suffering due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

He condemned the policies of the government of President Buhari, describing the government’s action as wicked and one that lacked sound judgment.

In a related development, the Nigerian students also staged a protest in Osogbo, Osun State capital, against the recent increase in pump price and electricity tariff.

The protesters took off from Freedom Park, Osogbo, and moved through MDS road to Olaiya Junction, chanting anti-government songs.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have also both rejected the recent increase in the price of petrol and electricity in the country.