Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Saturday joined hundreds of protesters who were expressing their anger against the situation of the country.
It was gathered that the Governor who was on his way stopped to cheer and address the protesters around Bodija area of the capital city.
The protesters have gathered as early as 7:30 AM at Mokola from where they marched to Sango enroute Ojoo area of the capital city.
In a viral social media video, the Governor was seen addressing the crowd with huge noise of the protesters shouting his name.
It was gathered that the Governor commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct reminding them that it is their right to call their government to question when things are not done the way it should.
But, many streets were deserted on Saturday due to the fears of the uncertainty of anticipated crisis around the state.
Early Saturday morning saw many shops, business owners, refusing to open for business as many residents also stayed indoors.
Those who were seen around also ensured that they do not go beyond the vicinity of their neighborhood for fears of crisis erupting around the town.
Areas monitored including Alakia, Isebo, Papa, Olosan, Iyana-Church, Monatan, Olodo, Iwo Road, Idi-Ape, Agodi-Gate, Mokola, Old-Ife Road, among other areas was calm and devoid of the usual buzzling and busy activities.
Areas like Beere, Oje, Oja’ba, Molete, Challenge, were also deserted as the roads were clear of usual traffic.
No protest held around the axis, but activities started opening up gradually as the day goes on.
It was also observed that ceremonies still held in some places even though, the atmosphere was tensed.
While some markets were locked for fear, a few others that were opened did not allow vehicles to drive-in and did not show readiness for business for the day.
A group of angry youths also converged at Mokola Roundabout in protest and a demand for better Nigeria.
Few commercial motorcyclists and commercial drivers operated and charged a high fares.
Heavy security presence was noticed in major parts of the city with a combined team of security operatives including men of the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun corps stationed across strategic places in the capital city.
At the Mokola protest, the youths carried posters, placards and banners with different inscriptions conveying their displeasure in the situation of the country.
They blocked one side of the road but the impact could not cause much damage to the ever-busy road as the usual heavy traffic on the road was absent.
Although the protesters were not violent in their approach, men of the Nigerian Army, Police and Civil Defence were fully on the ground to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
A cross-section of the protesters in their separate remarks accused the Federal Government of inaction saying Nigerians are suffering.
They described June 12 as historic in the political history of Nigeria calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and other political leaders to continue to draw inspiration from the history of the day.
As at the time of this report, security agencies are still fully on the ground to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
A combined team of security operatives were also seen patrolling hot spots across the capital city to ensure that the crisis did not erupt.
Some inscriptions on their banners and placards read “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power”, “End impunity in Nigeria”, “RevolutionNow 2021: We are tired of the killings, insecurity, terrorism and poverty in the country, #Buharimustgo”, “Justice for Igangan,” among others.
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