Despite heavy presence of security personnel in various states of the federation, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other protesting Nigerians gathered at different parts of the country to expressed their frustrations at the current nationwide hardship.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Despite heavy presence of security personnel in various states of the federation, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other protesting Nigerians gathered at different parts of the country to expressed their frustrations at the current nationwide hardship.
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the conveners, have started gathering across the country for the scheduled two days of nationwide protests.
The final push for the protest came when a late meeting between the Federal Government and the Organised Labour on Monday night at the State House in Abuja ended in a stalemate, prompting the NLC President, Joe Ajaero to issue the directive that the rally would go on.
“The rally goes on and it is part of their constitutional responsibility to ensure that the rally is peaceful,” said Ajaero, after the meeting with government representatives on the eve of the protest.
NLC had last week, confirmed that workers would embark on a two-day nationwide protest slated for February 27 and February 28, 2024.
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Addressing the press in Abuja, Ajaero, said the decision followed an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country.
The protest, the NLC leader noted, would commence a week after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 23.
On February 8, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (NUC) gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet demands ranging from wage increments to improved access to public utilities and accused it of failing to uphold pledges to soften the impact of reforms.
The labour leader lamented that millions of Nigerian workers are facing hunger, erosion of purchasing power and insecurity due to reforms that drove up inflation.
Reports gathered by our correspondents showed a heavy presence of security personnel in various states of the federation, as protesters expressed their frustrations at the current nationwide hardship.
At the Ikeja under the bridge area of Lagos State, NLC members were joined by some other Unions, such as the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) among others.
The unions were expected to hold the rally moving from the convergence point in Ikeja to the State House of Assembly in Alausa.
The presence of Policemen manning every major junction along the three kilometres planned route was sighted, following the Force’s promise to ensure peace and order during the protests.
In Abuja, the protest started from the Labour House Headquarters at exactly 9:36 am.
Unions taking part in the protest include the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the FCT Council, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Construction Workers’ Union, among others.
In Ondo, hundreds of civil servants took to the streets of Akure, the State capital on Tuesday to protest current economic hardship in the country.
The peaceful protest is ongoing along the major roads in the capital city while the protesters are chanting various solidarity songs.
In Plateau State, protesters led by the NLC stormed the streets of Jos, the capital city.
Our reporter gathered that the protesters who gathered at the Secretariat Flyover bridge lamented the economic hardship and insecurity being faced by Nigerians in the state and other parts of the country. Describing the situation as unbearable, the protesters called on the Federal Government to act quickly and save Nigerians from further suffering.
Concerned individuals and groups within and outside the country have warned on the imminent dangers of the rising cost of living among the citizens.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Northern Traditional Council had recently warned that rising poverty, hunger and insecurity in the country may force the people to revolt against the government. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has also raised similar fears. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has echoed same warning.
