Protest flops in Ekiti as residents stay at home

The first day of the much publicised nationwide protest in Ekiti was generally uneventful, as many residents adopted a sit-at -home approach, DAILY POST reports.

Our state correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and other major towns like Ikole-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Emure and others, reports that rather than organising or joining any protest, residents stayed indoors.

There was no vehicular moment on the major roads in Ado-Ekiti and other roads linking the state capital to other destinations, as the roads were empty.

Also, there were no reports of violence from any quarter across the state, as at the time of filing this report.

A visit to the State Secretariat, along the popular Bank Road in Ado-Ekiti, showed that not many workers were at their desk, as only few staff, particularly security personnel, were sighted.

In the same vein, a visit to some banks in the state showed that they were under lock and keys, as the planned protest paralysed normal activities.

The major markets in the town, like Adebayo, King’s market, Bisi market, Okesa market, Sabo market, and Ojido, among others, were also deserted, as few people were seen in front of their shops without opening them.

A visit to the State High Court and magistrates courts also showed that not many workers were on ground, as the premises were also deserted, with only few staff seen in the office performing their duties, while many did not come to work.

One of the staff interviewed, Miss Folashade Aina, said she was afraid to come to the office in the morning, saying she had to first make calls to verify the security situation in town before coming to office.

She said that she was surprised to see some people opening shops and going on their daily business activities, as there was no sign of protest anywhere in Ado-Ekiti.

She said although the office was scanty, she believed that staff would resume on Friday, adding that they only wanted to see how events would unfold on Thursday.

She urged the government to look out for ways to put an end to the hardship and economic challenge in the country.

A legal practitioner, Mr Sola Olawale, said that he was in support of a peaceful protest, such as sit-at-home approach, to drive home the grievances of Nigerians who seek an end to hunger in the country.

It was also observed that security agents were positioned in strategic locations, to avoid breakdown of law and order.