Hundreds of Nigerians took to the streets in the federal
capital of Abuja and the commercial city of Lagos protesting, among other
things, against unemployment and issues including rising costs of foods and
medicines, access to education and lack of services including water and electricity.
The protests were originally galvanized by award winning entertainer, TuFace
Idibia, utilizing the social media tag; #istandwithNigeria. The singer later
called off the rally citing security concerns but civil groups still went ahead
with the marches.
The protesters called for a change of government as they
marched through the streets of Lagos and Abuja reflecting mounting public anger
over a sputtering economy and political tensions blamed on an absentee
president. In a rare show of public dissent against the administration of
President Muhammadu Buhari, more than 500 demonstrators halted traffic in the
commercial capital, flanked by a heavy police escort. Buhari has been in Britain since mid-January for treatment for
an unspecified medical condition and, with no indication of when he might
return, many Nigerians suspect his health is worse than officials admit.
The country is also mired in its first recession in 25 years and high inflation is driving up prices of basic goods.
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