By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

With the #EndBadGovernment protest going on in some states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Awka, the Anambra State Capital and its environs have remained calm.

When our correspondent took a walk around the city, there was an uneasy calm as most people stayed indoors while few shops, especially, provision and POS were opened in the streets for business.

The roads were equally deserted. At the ever busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, only few vehicles were seen riding on the road. Petrol stations along the road were also closed.

Banks were equally closed for business as people that went to make financial transactions were turned back by the bank securities.

At the Eke Awka market, only few traders opened for business while most shops were under lock and key. Few others opened just one door to their shop for skeletal business while being watchful of any suspicious movement.

The timber market area was a dead zone as all the shops selling building materials were under lock and key.

Meanwhile, few Keke NAPEP (tricycle) which is the main mode of transportation within the city were seen plying the road.

Though majority of the people interviewed by News Express gave a nod to the protest, a trader at the eke, Ijeoma Ikechebe, who sells fruits described the protest as unnecessary, saying that it will not change anything, rather people will lose their lives in the protest.

She said, “Nigeria is not a sophisticated clime were protest works. Yes, we need change in the system of governance. Here but I bet you people will end losing their lives for this. Our government doesn’t have listening ear. They don’t care about the massed. They only care when they come to beg me and you for vote”.

On his part, a keke rider, Peter Obum said that came to hassle to get money to feed his family.

According to him, the protest is a good idea to enable the leaders sit up.

“Our leaders have taken us for a ride too much. Look at the cost of food stuff in the market and it keeps rising everyday. The price you buy something today, is not the price you buy it tomorrow.

“I have five children and this is the business I use to feed and pay their school fees. The lawmakers are taking jumbo salaries while their children are abroad, so, how will they feel the pain of the common man. They seriously need to cut down the cost of governance if they mean we’ll for us at all. It’s really sad. There was I just parked my keke under a tree shade and started shedding tears. I’m a graduate, no job. I saved money to travel abroad, the agent ran away with my money. In fact, I was so depressed that and felt like dying.

“I’m doing higher purchase, sometimes, it’s difficult to make enough money to give to the owner on daily basis and have something left for yourself. Nigeria is a blessed with every resources you can think of but our leaders keep destroying it. It’s painful. Other African countries that we are richer than by all standard are well organised and doing better than us with the little they have.”

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Onitsha main market was also closed for business.

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