#EndBadGovernace: Edo CSOs withdraw from nationwide protest
Edo Election Tribunal
CIVIL Society Organisations in Edo on Saturday said they have withdrawn from the nationwide planned protest against bad government and hunger
According to one of the leaders of the protest, Curtis Ugbebor, the withdrawal was due to an intelligence report and the need to re-strategise.
He said, “At this junction, due to an intelligent report, the CSO is withdrawing from the protest to re-strategise and that is not to say that Nigerians who wish to express themselves cannot do so.
“But I will want to say that we have achieved a lot and stated our demands which we expect the government to look into. This has been achieved without bloodshed and destruction of properties
“We shall continue to ensure that the federal and state government address the demands of Edo State citizens.
Another leader of the protest, Emmanuel Ogbidi, urged the government to ensure hunger ends in the country, noting that politicians should earn minimum wage.
“We had agreed that the protest in Edo State will be three days, we have given our demands to the governor for transmission to the president and we continue using other channels of engagement” he said.
However, at Ring Road, the venue of the protest on Saturday, the protesters turned out in numbers, dancing to popular songs and moving around the Ring Road.
At a point, the organisers became apprehensive of a group that showed up midway into the protest.
One of the planning committee members, who gave his name as Ero, said that the group had to be watched carefully as the organisers were bent on keeping the protest peaceful.
The police and other security agencies were on hand to provide security for the protesters and blocked all the entry points to the venue to prevent hoodlums from infiltrating the protest.
Businesses opened on Lagos Street and Oba Market as residents used the opportunity to buy goods especially food items while vehicular and human movements also improved.
