Protesters block roads in Ondo over naira scarcity, rejection of old notes
Market women and youths on Wednesday flocked the streets of Akure, Ondo Town, and Owo to demonstrate against the hardship that the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emeifele, had allegedly imposed on Nigeria by refusing to extend the deadline for the old naira notes to stop being accepted as legal tender in the country.
The protesters in Akure obstructed bank areas in Alagbaka, which made it difficult for vehicles to move.
Due to lack of naira notes, residents in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government also barred access to the popular Akure motor park.
Some market women also rushed to the streets with leaves in their hands to demand that the old and new naira notes continue to be accepted alongside one another, sparking the demonstration that rattled the historic town of Owo.
Before making their way to the Olowo’s palace, they marched along the town’s main roads.
The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who received the demonstrators to the palace, cautioned them to maintain calm and stay away from anything that would spark a commotion.
Nigerians are undoubtedly going through a difficult time right now, according to Oba Ogunoye, who urged them not to do anything that would disturb the peace that already exists in the community.
The demonstration, however, intensified as youths subsequently gathered to express their outrage over the present currency issue.
Security personnel were also seen patrolling the streets while others were stationed at banks and other locations that were thought to be potential hot spots for violence.
Commercial banks that had previously started for business were hastily shut down out of fear that they would be attacked by the demonstrators.
Though they claimed to be engaged in a peaceful protest, the demonstrators’ organisers were on hand to help control the scene.
Olawale Ogunrinde, one of those who led the protest in a statement said that they are on the streets to express their outrage over the unimaginable suffering that the naira swap issue has caused them.
