The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other related unions have commenced their protest in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Jos, Ogun, and other major cities over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship in the country.
The NLC’s decision to stage this protest followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. The ultimatum sought decisive action to address the economic challenges faced by the populace.
Also, the primary focus of the demonstration stems from the perceived failure of the government to fulfill agreements established on October 2, 2023, subsequent to the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy.
Members of the NLC argue that the promised measures to alleviate the widespread hardship, agreed upon during negotiations, have not been effectively implemented.
Despite a last-minute meeting between the federal government and NLC officials held recently, the discussions ended in a deadlock, prompting the union to proceed with the planned protest.
In Abuja, the protest which was led by the NLC President Joe Ajaero 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.
Also present at the national protest is a former Nigeria Country Director, ActionAid, Ene Obi; presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore among others.
The protesters were seen wielding placards with inscriptions such as “#End Poverty and Hunger. Support Local Industries#,” “Fix Local Refineries End Subsidy#;” “#End Naira Devaluation; Tax the Rich Subsidise the poor#” to make their grievances known on the current economic hardship across the country.
Addressing journalists before the protest started, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero said, “The government said we should not do rally. They used peaceful means and threats but we are in God’s hands.
“We are here for a rally so that Mr President will know how Nigerians feel and know where it is pinching us.”
In Lagos, the protesters took to the streets of Ikeja, chanting slogans and waving banners, making their way through the bustling streets, demanding attention to their grievances.
Hundreds of workers also joined the NLC protest in Jos, Plateau State capital. 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.
The state Chairman of the NLC, Eugene Mangji, who led the protests said, “We are not happy, Nigerians are not happy over the situation in the country that has brought untold hardship and suffering of the citizens which started immediately after the removal of the oil subsidy.
” It started as a joke and suddenly, the price of petrol which was initially sold at N197 jumped to N530 and then to N670. Today, petrol is sold at more than N700.
“Imagine that we are not up to one year in the life of this present administration and Nigerians are experiencing this kind of thing. The exchange rate has also gone to almost N2,000 per dollar and since everything is dependent on the exchange rate, prices of goods and services have also gone up beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. Even the students in higher institutions are not finding it easy at all.
“Nigerians are crying over the situation and we are not left out as Labour and we are calling on the Federal Government to arrest the ugly situation quickly, including the security challenge before they get out of control.”
Similarly, the NLC members in Ogun state have joined the protest and are about to hit the streets of Abeokuta, the state capital as of press time.
Meanwhile, there is a low turnout in Kano State for the NLC protest.
It was gathered that the state Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa is nowhere to be found at the venue, Race Course ground, as of 9:30am.
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