On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, singing the old national anthem with fervor.
As the nationwide hunger protests entered their sixth day, demonstrators marched to Wike’s home, carrying palm fronds.
Upon arriving at the heavily guarded mansion, most protesters sat on the tarred road in front of the house. A police tank was positioned nearby, and the protesters kept their distance, chanting the “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem and raising their palm fronds intermittently.
Since last Thursday, protests have erupted across various states, with demonstrators expressing their frustration over economic hardships, including rising inflation, naira devaluation, and the removal of fuel subsidies.
Wike, who has opposed the protests since they were announced, denied permission for the use of Eagles Square in Abuja as a gathering venue for the demonstrations, requested by the rights group Take It Back movement.
In July, the minister appealed to the protesters to refrain from demonstrating, arguing that the current economic challenges were necessary sacrifices for the nation’s future progress.