Hunger Protest: Normalcy returns as business, social activities resume in Ondo

I can’t continue to sit at home when nothing is happening on the streets,” Ms Adebisi said.

Tosin Ajuwon • August 2, 2024

Photo used to illustrate empty street in Ondo State

As the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests entered its second day, business activities resumed in Akure, Ondo state.

Many residents, particularly shop and business owners who stayed home on Thursday—the first day of the protest—returned to their usual social routines and work on Friday.

Checks by Peoples Gazette on Friday showed that business premises, shops, and government offices all opened their doors for transactions and activities.

Similarly, commercial drivers continued transporting passengers around the state while traders in the markets were busy displaying their goods for sale.

Unlike the previous day, eateries, joints, bars, hotels, and gas stations had their gates and doors wide open to welcome customers.

Activities were bustling in areas like Arakale, NEPA, Oja Oba, Adegbola, Oluwatuyi, and Alagbaka in the state capital, Akure.

Although the street protest was scheduled to take place in Ondo state like other states across the federation, residents chose to stay home due to fears of potential attacks.

One resident, Adeola Adebisi, who spoke to The Gazette, explained that she decided to open her shop for business because no protest was taking place in the city.

“People are hungry, but nobody is coming out in the state to protest. I know there are protests in other states like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, but here in Akure, nobody is coming out. I have to open my shop for business so my family can have something to eat. I’m not against the protest, but who is going to lead us out of the state? I can’t continue to sit at home when nothing is happening on the streets,” Ms Adebisi said.

As normalcy returned to the state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa praised the people for their peaceful disposition amid the nationwide protests.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who appreciated the residents for conducting themselves with orderliness and without any security incidents in the state, acknowledged the economic challenges facing the people.

“I want to thank the good people of Ondo State for maintaining peace and not joining the nationwide protests. Even though we, as a government, have acknowledged the economic challenges facing our nation and our people, we thank them for heeding our call for peace.

“I want to thank our students and youths, women, artisans, public servants, and Civil Society Organisations for fulfilling their promise to maintain peace.

“In the coming weeks and months, various policies, initiatives, and projects across sectors aimed at improving the lives of our people will begin to have the much-needed impact,” the governor said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan.

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