TheCable

Protesters have brought down the gates at the entrance of the national assembly, as rallies against the removal of subsidy on petrol gain momentum nationwide. 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had announced the commencement of the protests today, amid hardship caused by President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end the subsidy regime.

When the protesters arrived at the national assembly complex on Wednesday, the gates were locked by security officials.

The protesters forced their way into the complex by pulling down the gate while chanting solidarity songs.

Presently, the protesters are gathered on the premises of the national assembly, as stern-looking security personnel look on.

During his inaugural address on May 29, President Tinubu announced that the petrol subsidy regime was over.

The pronouncement immediately led to a hike in the pump price of petrol, a quadrupling of transport fares in certain areas, and ballooning inflation across several market segments.

In a nationwide broadcast on Monday, Tinubu reeled out palliatives that would cushion the impact of the petrol subsidy removal on the masses.

However, talks between federal government representatives and organised labour, aimed at finding a middle ground, have been deadlocked.