Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Protesters, mostly traders, owners of small and medium scale enterprises, stormed the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Wednesday, in protest against the naira scarcity.
The protesters, carrying a calabash containing sacrifice-like items, lamented the hardship faced as a result of the rejection of the old naira notes for business transactions while the new notes are scarce.
They lampooned governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that the current situation has inflicted hunger and inability to provide for their families.
They described as unimaginable having to pay N2000 as POS charge to collect N10,000.
The protesters warned that should the current situation continue, they would make the environment unconducive for the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
There was heavy security presence at the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan as the entrance gates were locked for several hours.
Fruits sellers from Beere and Oje also stormed the secretariat to protest the rejection of the old notes. Mostly women, the fruit sellers lamented that the unavailability of cash and subsequent rejection of the old naira notes is having adverse effect on their businesses.
