Buhari Minister, Solomon Lalung, Cleric Lead Hunger Protests In Plateau

A former Minister of Sports in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Solomon Lalung and a cleric, Prophet Isa Elbuba jointly led the protest against hunger on Thursday in Plateau State.

Protesters shunned pleas by the state government and some Civil Society Organisations not to partake in the nationwide protest which have shocked the federal government.

Aggrieved Nigerians have called out everyone to the streets to register their anger against government’s policies which they said have impoverished the masses demanding a reduction in prices of petrol and enactment of proper measures to bring down prices of commodities that have hit the roof.

Lalung who has been a constant critic of the Bola Tinubu administration was among the early comers to join the protest.

Speaking during the protest, he warned the security operatives not to intimidate protesters as the amended Nigerian constitution gives rights to citizens to stage peaceful protests.

He lamented that Nigerians are facing unbearable suffering. Prophet Elbuba, who is the convener of the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria called on President Tinubu to resign for failing to address the situation.

The General Overseer of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries International, said, “President Bola Tinubu must resign, we can not wait for 2027 to change him, hunger will not allow us to endure that long.”

He added that he would mobilise more persons to join the protest in the coming days and they will continue to protest until their demands are met.

He said the economic challenges being visited on ordinary Nigerians were deliberate, adding that Nigeria has all it takes to cater for the citizens adequately.

Elbuba lamented that the government had enslaved its citizens in their land, and insisted that such must stop.

“We are going to be here for the next ten days, if you don’t stand up for your rights, no one will do it for you,” Elbuba said.

He further said government officials were afraid of the ongoing protest because they knew that the policies and programmes being implemented were anti-people.

Similarly, a civil society organisation, Citizens Coalition against Corruption and Injustice led by Chris Iyama advised the president to declare a state of emergency on food security with immediate effect.

“Tinubu policies have not addressed hunger, economic hardship, and insecurity being experienced in Nigeria, which is a consequence of poor governance,” he said.

The convener further demanded “a reversal of electricity tariff, transportation, and price control on commodities. We also want the government to cut down bogus spending on VIPs and other unwarranted demands.”

Also speaking, the executive director of CLEEN Foundation, Gad Peter, pointed out that Nigerian youth were only out for good governance and nothing else.