PeakNews Online
LAGOS, July 31, 2024 – The prices of foodstuffs have surged in major markets across Nigeria as citizens engage in panic buying ahead of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled to begin today, PeakNews Online reports.
Despite last-minute efforts by the Federal Government to halt the protest, the organizers are determined to proceed, citing the need for an improvement in the soaring cost of living and a reversal of certain government policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy. The removal of this subsidy, combined with ongoing security issues in farming regions, has significantly increased transportation costs, exacerbating food inflation.
In a bid to prevent the protest, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, addressed an emergency press conference on Wednesday, urging Nigerians to refrain from participating. He was joined by other top officials, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Economy, Wale Edun, and presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga. They highlighted various policies and programs implemented by President Tinubu’s administration to alleviate economic hardships.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun also held an urgent press conference at the force headquarters, and the National Assembly cut its recess short to hold a plenary session. Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas appealed to youths at a town hall meeting, urging them to embrace dialogue with the government.
Senator Akume emphasized that while the government recognizes the right to peaceful protest, it is concerned about the potential for the protests to be hijacked by bandits and other criminals. He called for dialogue and collaboration to address the nation’s challenges, outlining several interventions by the Tinubu administration, including a wage award and a new National Minimum Wage Act.
Despite these appeals, many Nigerians are preparing for the worst. Panicked by the potential for violence and movement restrictions, citizens flooded markets on Wednesday for last-minute grocery shopping. Traders took advantage of the situation, hiking prices of essential food items.
At Oyingbo Market in Lagos Island, a woman, identified as Bolanle Mahmood expressed her concerns, saying that, “From the news, it appears this protest may not just be another rally. So, I came here to buy food and stock my home for at least two weeks. In case the protest goes beyond the stipulated time, my family and I would have something to eat.”
Checks by PeakNews Online correspondents revealed significant price increases across various markets. At Garki International Market in Abuja, a 50kg bag of foreign rice, previously sold for about N79,000, now sells for between N86,000 and N90,000. Yams have increased from N5,000 to N7,000 per tuber, and a mudu (local measure) of beans now sells for N3,500, up from N2,000 to N2,500.
Traders cited increased costs at depots, transportation difficulties, and food item scarcity as reasons for the price hikes. Cynthia Ogu, a food seller, explained, “For instance, I don’t sell eggs in bits anymore. I sell an entire crate at N4,600. The Indomie (noodles) used to be N7,500. I buy at that amount but I have to make gains somehow, that’s why there is an extra N200.”
Other markets, including Bwari Market, also reported significant price hikes. Musa Auwal, an onion seller, said three onion bulbs now sell for N500, a price that has left customers concerned.
The Abuja Market Management Limited has urged traders and market users to protect the markets from potential infiltrators who may want to cause mayhem during the protests and advised them not to participate in the demonstrations.
The situation remains tense as Nigerians brace for the #EndBadGovernance protest, with many hoping for a peaceful resolution to the nation’s challenges.
