Occupy Nigeria Protesters Rail Against Removal of Fuel Subsidy
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STR/AFP/Getty Images(LAGOS, Nigeria) — As protests spread across the country, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan faces his biggest test since he came to power in 2010.
On Jan. 1 the government ended its fuel subsidy, more than doubling gas prices from $1.70 per gallon to more than $3.50 per gallon. The domino effect of the increase in fuel has caused anger amongst citizens of the country.
A movement dubbed “Occupy Nigeria” began last week in several cities and resulted in the death of a 23-year-old protester who was shot by police. On Monday three more protesters died after being shot by security forces in Lagos.
The “Occupy Nigeria” protests spread to the Diaspora, including London, where former presidential hopeful and journalist Dele Momodu made a surprise appearance. On Monday protesters marched to the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and on Tuesday, a protest was held in New York City at the Nigerian consulate, while in Atlanta a protest is planned for Wednesday at the Nigerian consulate.
President Jonathan is scheduled to speak live on Tuesday on the deregulation of the petroleum industry.
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