No Protest in Ondo State, Streets empty, Banks, Offices, Markets Shut as National Protest Commences
The streets of Akure, the capital of Ondo State, remained eerily quiet in response to the nationwide protest against poor governance. Despite the significant nationwide mobilization, no protesters were observed in the state capital.
Fears of potential violence and looting by miscreants led to the closure of banks, government offices, markets, and various departmental stores. Shop owners, cautious of the volatile situation, lingered near their businesses, monitoring the developments from a distance.
While senior government officials reported for duty at the state Secretariat, junior employees chose to stay home. Security forces were visibly present, strategically stationed around key locations, including the Central Bank of Nigeria office, the Federal Secretariat, and other critical government facilities. Police patrols were a common sight on the major roads, ensuring a semblance of order.
The usually bustling roads of Akure saw minimal traffic, with only a few vehicle owners, commercial taxi drivers, and motorcyclists venturing out. Similarly, the city’s motor parks were empty, devoid of the usual throng of buses and travelers.
Early morning travelers faced disappointment as they found the motor parks deserted, with no buses available for their journeys. The atmosphere in Akure mirrored the broader unease felt across the nation as citizens voiced their grievances against the government.
