Some youths in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, in the early hours of Thursday took to the streets to protest, demanding a stable electricity supply from the two main electricity distribution companies — Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo) and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC), news.ng reports.
This follows recent blackouts in the state, leaving many neighbourhoods in darkness for days and paralysing commercial activities.
In a video which went viral on social media, particularly on X, and monitored by this news platform, the demonstrators were seen with placards bearing various inscriptions including “No Light, Life Na Water, “Light No Dey”, etc.
The protesters, while walking on the road peacefully, called for urgent attention in the electricity sector, particularly in the commercial capital.
Some users who commented on the video called for the resignation of the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.
According to a user, Ayotunde Faruk Raji (Arch.): “I expect the resignation of the minister of power and the president declaring a state of emergency on electricity by now.”
Another user, @chidalu_kelvin, complained that none of the sectors in the country is working. “No sector for Nigeria dey work, not even one sector dey function properly for this country. E no get where you go say oya make we use this sector get hope,” he noted.
Another user, @DiogoVickie, commented, saying, “So far say na only youths and everyone is going about their normal business,… nothing much will happen.
Any protest that will work will need literally EVERYBODY of every age group.”
Recall that during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu, before his election, told Nigerians not to vote for him for a second term if there is no constant electricity during his first tenure.
In view of the epileptic power supply in the country, last year alone, the national grid collapsed about 12 times. Energy analysts have warned that unless the government addresses systemic issues affecting the power sector, including generation, transmission, and distribution, there will still be more social unrest.
Watch video below:
