Children aged 8-13 and youths took charge of the #EndBadGovernance protest on Thursday afternoon in Jalingo, Taraba state.
This is as Dr Isa El-Buba, the General Overseer and President of El-Buba Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI), led demonstrators to protest the prevailing hardships in Jos, Plateau state capital.
The children chant, “Bamu ai, bamu ai,” which translates to “We don’t agree, we don’t agree,” to draw attention to the challenges they are going through.
The protest began on the popular Hamaruwa Way and proceeded towards the flyover bridge, a notable landmark in Jos city.
The participants, primarily children and teenagers, were vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
Our correspondent, who monitored the development, reports that the protesters were closely monitored by personnel from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
El-Buba, the national coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria(IBBN) made it clear that the protest he led in Jos would be a peaceful one.
The demonstrators, showing their commitment to the cause, gathered at the Plateau Secretariat overhead bridge as early as 6 AM, ready to make their way towards the old airport roundabout in Jos.
During his address to the protesters, he spoke about the hardships faced by Nigerians and urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse “anti-people policies.”
El-buba, in his address to the protesters, specifically highlighted the elimination of fuel subsidy, high electricity tariffs, and the high cost of living as some of the key concerns driving the protest.
Security personnel were on hand to accompany the protesters and ensure the demonstration remained peaceful.
Despite the Plateau State government rejecting the protest earlier for security reasons, the protesters remained undeterred.
Additional protesters also gathered at the British American roundabout in Jos, where many businesses closed supporting the protest.
The peaceful conduct of the protest provided relief to many concerned about the potential for violence.