On Thursday, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State addressed a large crowd of #EndBadGovernance protesters who had gathered at Ring Road in Benin City. The Governor took this opportunity to express his deep empathy for the demonstrators, acknowledging the significant hardships faced by the people of Edo State and all Nigerians.
During his speech, Governor Obaseki reassured the protesters that he fully understands their frustrations and struggles. He noted that he is well aware of the economic difficulties, including high levels of hunger, that many citizens are experiencing. As a result, he committed to relaying their demands to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governor emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the protesters’ concerns are heard and addressed. He mentioned that he would take their messages to Abuja, where he would communicate their demands to the President directly. This included issues such as the call for a reduction in fuel prices, which has been a significant concern among the protesters. He also promised to address the rise in food prices, which many attribute to the actions of unionists.
Obaseki further assured the crowd that any individuals causing trouble or disrupting the protests would be dealt with. He pledged to work on reducing food prices and eliminating the activities of ‘agberos,’ or area boys, who are often involved in illegal activities on the roads. The Governor stressed that these issues are within his control and he is committed to resolving them in Edo State.
In addition to the local issues, Obaseki acknowledged the protesters’ demands related to federal matters, such as fixing federal roads and reducing electricity tariffs. He assured them that these concerns would also be communicated to the President, who would be responsible for addressing them.
The Governor’s speech was aimed at calming the protesters and ensuring them that their voices were being heard. He urged them to maintain peace and order during the demonstrations to prevent any potential hijacking of the protests by individuals with malicious intentions. His goal was to ensure that the protests remained focused on legitimate grievances and did not descend into chaos or violence.
Governor Obaseki also addressed the protesters at the Secretariat Building on Sapele Road and those gathered at the Government House. His presence at these locations reinforced his commitment to engaging with the community and addressing their concerns. By providing assurances of adequate security and encouraging peaceful behavior, the Governor aimed to foster a constructive atmosphere for the protests.
Earlier in the day, well-known comedian Francis Agoda, also known as ‘I Go Dye,’ participated in the protests and addressed the crowd. He urged the protesters to adhere to the principles of law and order while voicing their dissatisfaction with the current governance. Agoda emphasized the importance of protecting government property during the protests to avoid unnecessary damage and maintain the focus on their demands for good governance.
Agoda expressed solidarity with the protesters, highlighting that the widespread anger and hunger resulting from poor governance are shared by many. He called for unity and discipline among the demonstrators, stressing that their actions should contribute to positive change rather than causing further disruption.
