During the morning hours on Thursday in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, two distinct groups vied for attention – hardship protesters and pro-government supporters.
The anti-government protestors, advocating for the return of fuel subsidies and control of inflation, commenced their demonstration at the Police Roundabout in Jimeta. Meanwhile, the pro-government factions congregated at Mahmud Ribadu Square, opposing the hardship protests and advocating patience for President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to benefit the masses.
A minor disturbance occurred at Ribadu Square around 11 am when a solitary protester appeared with a sign advocating for the restoration of fuel subsidies, conflicting with the pro-government narrative. The group quickly surrounded and removed the intruder.
The pro-government advocates had arrived early at Ribadu Square, confining the anti-government demonstrators to the Police Roundabout. The hardship protestors held up signs with demands such as ‘Bring back Fuel Subsidy,’ ‘Maximum fuel price of N200 per litre,’ ‘Government is Service, not Self-service,’ and ‘End High Inflation, End Hunger.’
One of the protest spokespeople, Ibrahim Waziri, a former member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, stressed the importance of reinstating fuel subsidies.
Another protest leader, Danladi Jonah, displayed a placard stating ‘End Insecurity, Bring back fuel subsidy, Reduce electricity tariffs,’ highlighting the urgent need for the government to address insecurity and inflation nationwide.
At Ribadu Square, Mrs. Comfort Ibrahim, mobilizing a coalition of women and youth groups, urged Nigerians to have faith in the government’s ability to tackle inflation and other challenges, citing initiatives such as local government autonomy and increased minimum wage as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the masses.