Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has attributed the ongoing hunger protests across Nigeria to the federal government’s policies, which he claims have exacerbated the hardship faced by citizens.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Obaseki criticized the Federal Government for implementing policies that have led to severe economic strain, including soaring food prices, high transportation costs, and rampant inflation.
Obaseki’s comments came as hunger protesters in Edo State demonstrated on the streets, even holding a church service to draw attention to their plight.
The governor expressed sympathy for the demonstrators, asserting that their grievances reflect broader national issues.
To counter the impact of these federal policies, Obaseki highlighted several initiatives his administration has introduced to alleviate suffering in Edo State. These include:
- Raising the Minimum Wage: Increasing the minimum wage for workers to ₦70,000 to enhance their purchasing power.
- Free Transport Scheme: Implementing a free transport scheme on routes operated by the Edo City Transport Service.
- Public Wi-Fi: Extending free Wi-Fi services to public spaces to support remote work and learning.
- State-Wide Feeding Program: Launching a feeding program for the vulnerable, in collaboration with Christian and Muslim institutions.
Obaseki emphasised that despite the federal government’s policies contributing to national economic challenges, his administration has made concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects on Edo State residents.
He described the hunger protests as a consequence of “difficult living conditions” worsened by federal decisions and reiterated his commitment to supporting the people of Edo through state-led initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has directed security agencies to arrest individuals involved in blocking major roads, obstructing vehicular traffic, and extorting motorists during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Chris Osa Nehikhare, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, emphasised that those engaged in such activities will face the full force of the law.
Nehikhare warned that any attempt to disrupt public peace or engage in criminal behaviour under the guise of the protest would be met with strict legal action.
“We would like to sound a note of warning to hoodlums and criminals who would want to take advantage of the protest to cause mayhem.
“Security forces have been mandated to apprehend and arrest anyone caught disrupting public peace or perpetrating crime of any kind,” Nehikhare stated.
Despite these warnings, the commissioner acknowledged the largely peaceful nature of the protests in Edo State.
He commended the protesters for their responsible conduct, noting their cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies during the demonstrations.
Nehikhare reassured law-abiding citizens that they could continue their daily activities without fear, as the state government remains committed to maintaining order and ensuring the progress of the state.
