Edo residents Demand Relief Amid Fuel Subsidy Removal

Benin, Edo State – Edo State Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) and various civil rights groups staged large-scale protests in Benin on Monday, expressing strong disapproval over the recent removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

The demonstrators voiced their concerns about the hardships faced by Nigerians as a result of this decision and demanded immediate relief measures from the government.

The rallies, which commenced at Ring Road and subsequently swept through major streets like Mission Road, Akpakpava Road, and Sakponba Road, drew significant attention to the pressing issue. Protesters boldly wielded placards with powerful messages denouncing the adverse effects of the subsidy removal on the Nigerian populace.

“In less than two months, Tinubu Government is choking Nigerians to death,” read one of the striking placards, while another pleaded, “Tinubu let us breathe.” The protesters also expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s approach, stating, “Kill corruption, not Nigerians,” and highlighted the rising cost of living, exclaiming, “Cost of living in Nigeria is choking us.”

One of the key demands put forth by the protesters was the need for immediate palliative measures to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on vulnerable citizens. Comrade Austin Enabulele, the interim president of EDOCSO, addressed journalists during the demonstrations and acknowledged the reasoning behind the subsidy removal, citing misuse by corrupt elements. However, he emphasized that the government should have implemented relief measures beforehand to safeguard the interests of the poor masses.

“We appreciate that the President has removed subsidy because they are using it to steal from us. However, palliatives should have been put in place before the removal. The refineries should work, even if it is two, so that we can buy fuel at an affordable price in Nigeria,” Enabulele said, reflecting the concerns of the protesters.

The proposed N8,000 palliative for 12 million Nigerians, which would amount to a staggering N996 billion, ignited further discontent among the demonstrators. They questioned the government’s allocation of such a substantial sum for palliatives while only budgeting N70 billion for the 469 members of the National Assembly.

“We have come to tell the President that we don’t need the N8,000 palliatives. He should keep it to himself. It is another way of stealing Nigerians’ money,” Enabulele expressed, highlighting the dissatisfaction over the distribution of funds.

Protesters raised valid concerns about the accuracy of the statistics used to identify 12 million beneficiaries for the palliative program. They voiced their discontent with the increasing poverty rate under the current administration’s watch, demanding urgent measures to alleviate the suffering faced by the masses.

Comrade Kola Edokpayi, President of Talakawa’s Parliament, added his voice to the protests, expressing concern over the deteriorating economic situation in the country. He called for an immediate end to the suffering endured by citizens and criticized the allocation of N70 billion to the National Assembly amidst widespread economic hardships.

The protests in Edo State highlighted the growing frustration among Nigerians regarding the fuel subsidy removal and underscored the urgent need for the government to implement concrete relief measures. The demand for transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of resources has resonated with civil society organizations and citizens alike, urging the authorities to address the pressing challenges faced by the nation.