The youths hit the streets of Benin, the Edo state capital, to protest against what they described as injustice, land-grabbing, unfair treatment and erosion of the rich culture of Benin Kingdom.
Thousands of residents in Edo State took to the streets on Tuesday to express outrage over alleged land-grabbing and perceived disrespect shown by Governor Godwin Obaseki towards the revered Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo.
The protesters, comprising community members and supporters of the Benin monarch, condemned the governor's actions, claiming they undermined the traditional institution and violated ancestral lands.
The youths hit the streets of Benin, the Edo state capital, to protest against what they described as injustice, land-grabbing, unfair treatment and erosion of the rich culture of Benin Kingdom.
The protesters, who marched through the streets of Benin City, described the governor's actions as disrespectful and unacceptable.
In multiple viral videos online, the protesters are seen displaying several placards which accused Governor Obaseki of attempting to marginalise Benin people.
“Obaseki, stop the marginalisation of the Benin people,” one of the displayed placards read.
We will not be ignored any longer, we demand attention. #BeninNationProtest pic.twitter.com/yeTTlRCg92
— A.T.O.K.É❣️❤️❣️ (@atoke_mide) September 10, 2024
The protesters asked the State House of Assembly to intervene by cautioning the governor. The demonstrators also demanded an apology from the governor.
The Oba of Benin is a revered traditional ruler in Edo State, and the protesters saw the governor's remarks as an attack on the monarch's dignity and the cultural heritage of the Benin people.
“The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, we want to see you, you are not only a Speaker for PDP, you are the speaker of Edo State.
“Obaseki, we want to hear from you. There is no room at all for him to disrespect the palace,” one of the protesters said.
The people of Bénin cannot be silenced anymore,
They will not be ignored any longer, they demand attention. #BeninNationProtest
— Afrokonnect (@AfrokonnectNG) September 10, 2024
The protest has also gained much engagement on social media as the Nigerian X (Twitter) community has started tweeting with the hashtag #BeninNationProtest.
A user, Afrikonnectng wrote: “The people of Bénin cannot be silenced anymore, they will not be ignored any longer, they demand attention.”
“We will not be ignored any longer, we demand attention.
#BeninNationProtest,” another user, Atoke added.
Justice for the Benin people is long overdue, we demand it!#BeninNationProtest pic.twitter.com/GrjmvGbZP4
— A.T.O.K.É❣️❤️❣️ (@atoke_mide) September 10, 2024