The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria experienced a surge in vehicular movements on Monday, August 5, 2024,signaling a gradual return to normalcy on the fifth day of nationwide protests. However, government offices at the Federal Secretariat Complex remained deserted, with only a few staff members reporting for duty.
Despite the increased traffic, petty traders who depend on government workers for business faced slow sales as patronage remained low. The protests have significantly disrupted the daily lives of Abuja residents, causing many to struggle with the ongoing turmoil.
Protesters across the nation are demanding an end to hunger, food inflation, and bad governance, alongside the reinstatement of fuel subsidies. The government has yet to effectively address these demands, leading to continued unrest.
President Bola Tinubu’s broadcast on Sunday aimed at addressing the protests was widely criticized for falling short of expectations. Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed disappointment with the President’s response.
Organizers of the protests have vowed to persist until their demands are met, leaving the situation fluid with developments unfolding by the hour.
