NYC protest foils in Edo

                                                 
A massive protest of youths, women and men numbering nearly three thousand led by the Civil Society of Edo State and the National Youth Council Benin has erupted in the capital of Edo State.

The protest started at the National Youth Council of Nigeria secretariat at 120 Akpakpava Street at about 10.00am today, where all the protesters assembled before setting out to town. So far, the protest have been peaceful and heavily armed policemen have been stationed across strategic location in Benin city.

The protesters are demanding that the government should treat Edo citizens as human beings and stop anti people policies. Specifically, they are demanding the immediate stoppage to the Land Use Charge because the matter is subjudice. They are also demanding a reduction in the corruption of government officials in Edo state. They are also demanding for jobs and industries and a stoppage of further wasteful laons.

Edo state government has however vowed to crush the protesters for daring to protest, claiming that the protesters are being sponsored by one of the PDP aspirants. Speaking on behalf of the government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Prince Afegbua lambasted the civil society claiming that they are working for the PDP.

In a swift reaction, the PDP speaking through their Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, has dissociated itself from the protest and protesters but however said that the protesters being citizens of Edo state have a right to protest against any policy that they feel is detrimental to their wellbeing.

When interviewed, the leadership of the protests claimed that the protest has nothing to do with PDP or any aspirant that it was an organic reaction to the ills that Oshiomhole government has been perpetuating in Edo state. Prominent among the protestants was Mr. Mandela Kola and Mr Agho, the civil society leader of Edo State.