Students and Civil Society Groups, on Tuesday, embarked on a peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital over the recent hike in Electricity tarrifs and petrol pump price.
The students under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), condemned the recent increases, stating that it is not in the best interest of Nigerians.
Armed with placards carrying various inscriptions expressing their frustration at the increment, the protesters urged the Federal Government to revert the policies in the best interest of the country.
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The protesters marched through Bodija and environs and ended the procession at the Federal Secretariat, where they addressed the press on the reason behind their agitation.
“We say no to fuel hike, we say no to increment in electricity tariff and other increments that affect Nigerian students and the masses.
According to the Chairman, Joint Campus Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mayowa Opakunle, students are the end-recipient of the increases and particularly, those who are into little businesses to earn a living.
“We are putting it to the Federal Government to put in place, the total reversal of the electricity tariff bill and the increase in premium motor spirit.
“We students are the end recipients, the majority of us are affected because we do small scale businesses to put ourselves in school and so many things we do to make sure we work and not become hoodlums,” he stated.
Mr Opakunle said that if a total reversal of these policies is not done soon, students across the country will shut down the economy.
“They should look into the total reversal of these policies that are against our survival and should consider us first before any action is taken. If eventually nothing is done, then we have a total shutdown of the economy.”
