Residents in Ekiti State sat at home on Thursday in reaction to a nationwide protest aimed at addressing critical issues like hunger, insecurity, and economic instability.
While security personnel, including a detachment of military, Police, Amotekun Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Vigilante groups, patrolled the streets to maintain law and order, some people could be seen going about their regular daily business.
On the main thoroughfares in Ado-Ekiti and on minor routes connecting the state capital to other locations, there was little traffic.
According to people who spoke anonymously, the majority of streets, including government buildings, stores, markets, and inter- and intra-city routes, were vacant.
Upon visiting the State Secretariat located on the Bank Road in Ado-Ekiti, it was observed that a considerable number of employees were absent from their workstations, with the exception of security personnel.
The State High Court and Magistrates Courts were vacant, with only a few workers seen lingering on the premises.
Only a few business vehicles and motorcycles were observed on the roadways, which were mostly desolate.
People moved slowly, and while some stores and malls remained open for business, others were closed to minimise potential protester attacks.
Meanwhile, renowned marketplaces in the state, such as Oja Oba, Bisi Market, Okesa Market, and Agric Olope, were operating normally.
A vendor at Okesa Market, Iyabo Ajayi accepted citizens’ right to protest, but emphasised that protests cannot fix serious issues, particularly in a country like Nigeria.
Opeyemi Iyunloye said she did not participate in the protest because she trusted the state governor,
Governor Biodun Oyebanji had asked citizens to embrace peace while the federal government worked to find a long-term solution to the problems.
Earlier, he also warned youths not to give in to “evil merchants” who could change the protest from a peaceful one to anarchy.
Oyebanji, who made the demand in a special state address on Wednesday, also warned that the protest might repeat the 2020 saga, from which the state and country are still healing.
He stated that the federal government is attempting to alleviate Nigerians’ hunger and poverty.
Bottom Line
The differing views among residents, such as those expressed by Iyabo Ajayi and Opeyemi Iyunloye, illustrate the complexity of public opinion. While some believe protests are necessary to highlight issues, others feel they may not lead to tangible solutions, particularly given Nigeria’s challenging political and economic space.
