On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, saw an increase in traffic on the fifth day of the nationwide protests, indicating a slow return to normalcy.
Despite the rise in traffic, government offices at the Federal Secretariat Complex remained deserted, with only a handful of staff showing up. Petty traders who depend on government employees for business were left waiting, as their sales remained sluggish.
The protests have greatly affected the daily lives of Abuja residents, leaving many struggling with the disruptions.
Protesters across various cities are demanding an end to hunger, food inflation, and poor governance. They are also calling for the return of fuel subsidies and many other issues.
The government has not yet adequately responded to the protesters’ demands.
President Bola Tinubu attempted to address the protests in a broadcast on Sunday, but it was widely criticized for not meeting expectations.
The organizers of the protests, along with notable figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), among others, expressed their disappointment with the President’s response.
The protesters have pledged to persist in their actions until their demands are fulfilled, and the situation remains dynamic, with new developments occurring hourly.
