• Ports, schools, hospitals to shutdown
• NECA faults protest, says economy already challenged
• Protesters hit Lagos streets despite police warning
• NANS backs out, seeks dialogue with FG
• Ohanaeze warns NLC against protest in Igboland
• Police pledge protection, warn impostors against hijack
Barring a last minute pull back, the nation’s seaports, schools and hospitals among other government entities would today and tomorrow be under lock and key as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) begin its two-day nationwide protest to register their displeasure against hardship and insecurity in the country.
Though the Federal Government went into an emergency meeting with the NLC last night, circulars from affiliates unions directed members to ensure full compliance with the NLC directive nationwide.
While the NLC is embarking on protest, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), reiterated its earlier stance not to be part of the protest.
It, instead, said it would be submitting a 15-point agenda to the Federal Government with a view to engaging them immediately to develop a framework for onward implementation.
This is notwithstanding the delay in implementing earlier agreements reached with the Organised Labour on palliatives and minimum wage raise after the removal of fuel subsidy.
Ahead of today’s nationwide showdown, some members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday trooped to the streets of Lagos to protest the high cost of living and soaring food prices. It was led by human rights groups – Joint Action Front (JAF), Coalition for Revolution, and Take It Back Movement.
This is despite the warning issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade. The police spokesman in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin had, in a statement on Sunday, quoted the Commissioner of Police as warning intending protesters against violence or acts that could infringe on the rights of others, such as obstruction of traffic and paralysing commercial activities in the state.
The protesters were seen carrying placards of various inscriptions at Ojuelegba under bridge area.
Speaking with newsmen, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement that is part of the coalition, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest was a demonstration of the people’s will against oppressive tendencies and hardship.
“Yes, despite police attempts to frustrate the people, Lagosians have stood their ground. The police are paid by taxpayers’ money, they are meant to secure us.
“We were able to march from Yaba Labour House to Maryland. The protest will continue tomorrow and updates will be given. We will join NLC in their nationwide mass action to put an end to this hardship created by the ruling elite,” Sanyaolu added.
Stating their demands, Sanyaolu said: “The Tinubu-led government must immediately reverse the fuel subsidy removal, the floating of naira and other policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed on Nigerians.”
The protest was also held in Osogbo, Osun State capital, where the protesters converged on Nelson Mandela Park to lament the effect of inflation and rising cost of living.
In Benin City, Edo State capital, the protesters marched from Kings Square to Akpakpava Road, wielding placards with inscriptions such as “End Economic Hardship”; “FG End the Hunger in Nigeria Now”; “We Are Tired of Hardship”; among others.
NLC Chairman, Lagos State Council, Agnes Sessi, said the protest will begin from Ikeja under the bridge by 7:00 a.m., where the workers would march to the state’s House of Assembly to submit their letter of protest to the Lagos State government.
While urging the government to stabilise the naira and fight insecurity to allow people to go to farms, she said NLC’s protest is reawakening all tiers of government from shying away from their responsibilities.
In his reaction, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, who said the protest does not sit well with the body, feared that the mass protests could easily snowball into uncontrolled disruption of the livelihood of other stakeholders in the economy, especially the private sector.
He said rather than NLC embarking on incessant protests and economic disruptions, more tactical and less disruptive but effective strategies could be employed to get the government to act.
Also, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged NLC to stop its planned strike and dialogue with the government on their demands. A statement by NANS Senate President, Akinteye Afeez, said the impact of strike on academic activities would be particularly devastating for students, who are already grappling with various challenges within the educational system.
He said disruptions to academic calendars, examinations, and other educational activities could derail the progress of students and exacerbate the already precarious situation in the education sector.
The student body stressed the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis, urging the NLC to join hands with the government and other stakeholders in advancing the development agenda of the nation.
In the same vein, the youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a cautionary statement to NLC against staging any form of protest in Igbo land. A statement by National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the protest would not hold anywhere in Igbo land.
Okwu, who said Ndigbo had suffered a series of unjust treatments in Nigeria, lamented that no region had ever come to the rescue of the people.
He said: “Under the government of ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, Ndigbo were treated as pieces of garbage, but no other region raised a voice even in sympathy with us. It was such that there was no single Igbo man in Buhari’s security council for eight years, but the entire country moved on as though nothing was wrong with it. Even under the present government, the Southeast has the least number of ministers, and nobody has ever seen anything wrong with it.
“Ndigbo were also not spared during the last general elections owing to some of the choices they made; they faced all manner of insults and attacks; yet no one cared to defend them.
“Why then will anyone want to drag Ndigbo to protest under whatever guise? We say a big ‘No’ to it and warn those planning it to look elsewhere. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our president with whom we are well pleased and we shall keep supporting him.”
He, however, presented three demands to President Tinubu, which include release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, additional state to the Southeast and an extra ministerial slot.
Some activists under the aegis of an Ibadan-based group, All Concerned Nigerians (ACN), has said anyone or group of people that is against the hardship protests across the country is the enemy of the people.
At a press conference in Ibadan jointly addressed by Andrew Emelieze (a former TUC Chairman), Emiola Solomon (leader of All Concerned Nigerians), Johnson Ajilore and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, said the hardship in the country was unbearable.
They also warned officers of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agents against destabilising the peaceful rally.
Against fears raised by protesters, the police high command has affirmed the fundamental right of all citizens to engage in peaceful protest in line with extant laws. It has therefore reiterated its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.
According to police spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.
“All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.
“While recognising the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents.
“Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.”
