Hunger Protest: Ebonyi Witnesses Non-Compliance As Economic, Social Acitivies Paralysis
Abah Joshua
The planned nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance in Ebonyi State witnessed the shutdown of public institutions like schools, banks, transportation and buisnesses, leading to paralysis of both economic and social activities.
Observation by this Newspaper across some of the streets in Abakaliki metropolis witnessed scanty human and vehicular movement, as road usesrs pay tripple of the old fare.
All the filling stations located along the popular Enugu-Abakaliki expressway, markets like the building material, timber markets were also shut down.
Speaking in an interview with a resident of Abakaliki, John Mbonu, said that the people of the southeast have resolved to pull out of the planned nationwide protest.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has told our people not to participate in the nationwide protest. It is everywhere in the news. Let those who want to protest go ahead. For the Igbo people, we are not going to protest.
“Anytime there is a protest, the people of the southeast are always the scapegoats. So, we have learnt our lessons and learnt to protect what we have. Yesterday, the Governor of the state and other leaders appealed to us not to participate in the protest.
“We know there is hunger and that the people are suffering. But there should be a better way to engage government rather than taking to the streets, thereby creating avenue for hoodlums to cause unrest.
“Those who are protesting in some states in the North have their reasons. But as I said, it is not appropriate for the people of southeast to protest”, John Said.
In total obedience to the Governor’s plea, Ebonyi State today August 1st 2024 is cool and calm. There is no #Protest anywhere. I drove around town of Abakaliki this morning and behold everywhere is calm.
A former Coordimator of Ndufu Ikwo, Hon. Brutus Orogwu wrote on his Facebook handle, ” Roads and streets were scanty but no #protest anywhere. Even as I was driving EBBC was on as you can hear from the background getting calls from across the state confirming that the Youths obeyed the Governor’s plea. #HE Rt. Hon. Nwifuru Francis is a capacity. His plea to the Youths in a Youths summit yesterday has been obeyed. Kudos to you sir!
