Protesters shouted down the Minister of State for Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande, who arrived at the Eagles Square in Abuja to address the protesters.
As the minister tried to address the crowd, the protesters continued to chant “hunger dey”, preventing the minister from speaking.
However, after quelling the crowd, the minister said he wasn’t attempting to shut down the protest, describing himself as a comrade who has attended between a hundred and five hundred protests.
“I’m not here to fight you, I’m not here to ask you not to protest, it is your right. Like I said, I’ve been to over 100-500 protests,” he said.
The minister also assured that he would address the police regarding the shooting of canisters against the protesters.
Meanwhile, protesters have insisted they would not join the others at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, noting that a few days ago, a parallel protest had been held without interference by the police.
Protesting peacefully for just today has sent a clear message to the Authorities that there is need to:
1. Enforce security in the country so that farmers can go back to their farms
2. End kidnapping and insecurity on our highways and farmlands
3. Ensure that the 3 Petroleum built by govt are working, and ensure that Dangote Refinery gets the crude it needs in Naira not in Dollars.
4. Ensure the immediate implementation of the #70k minimum wage by all tiers of govt.
5. Fund education and create jobs for the youths.
The 3 Refineries built by govt should be made to work and Dangote Refinery should be supplied the crude it needs in the local currency and not in Dollars
It’s my opinion that the protest should end today and not extend beyond today to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
There is no magic wand to solve every problem in the country which did not begin with the Tinubu govt. I believe this govt is on the right track.