TheCable

Members of the Ondo, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun and Kogi state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) joined the nationwide rally to protest against the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

The NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive policies” which include the hike in petrol prices and public school fees, among others.

Reacting, the federal government warned against embarking on the protest, adding that the NLC and TUC have been restrained by the court from doing so.

But the NLC resolved to continue with the nationwide protest on August 2 if their demands were not met by the federal government.

On Wednesday, protesters in Ondo, Kogi and Kano states, among others, took to the streets to demand the reversal of “anti-poor policies”.

The protesters carried placards with the inscriptions: “Let the poor breathe, we demand for immediate payment of eight months salary arrears of university lecturers; Give us acceptable and accessible palliatives; No more minimum wage, give us living wage; Immediate reversal of hike in electricity tariff,” among others.

PROTEST IN ONDO

Victor Amoko, NLC chairman in Ondo, led the protesters to the state government’s office in Akure, the state capital.

He said the government should release the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

“There must be an end to the suffering and smiling of workers. We have been spending 80% of our salaries on transportation,” he said.

“There must be an end to that too. Our refineries aren’t working, our crude oil is being taken to countries that do not have oil and they refine it for us. A whole country like ours, the giant of Africa. It is quite unfortunate.

“If you are telling us that you have removed subsidy, agreed! But what is the money for?

“Who were the masquerades benefiting from the subsidy? Nigerian workers are undergoing serious suffering. Mr. President must as a matter of urgency address our demands.”

Speaking to the protesters, Dare Aragbaye, special adviser on union matters and special duties to the governor, said the government was aware of the plight of the workers.

“I know that the sunshine state is unique. I want to thank you on behalf of the governor for making it peaceful,” Aragbaye said.

“We have received the letter to Mr. President.

“Apart from that, we’ve seen the placards, and I am sure that if our governor were to be around, he will have no objection to the demands and even the president, he will say his mind. He’s somebody that doesn’t shy away from the truth.”

KOGI

In Kogi, members of the NLC and TLC converged on Ganaja under-bridge in Lokoja, while chanting solidarity songs.

NAN reports that Samuel Obajemu, Kogi TUC vice-chairman, said the protest was meant to communicate their sufferings and the high cost of living as a result of the petrol subsidy removal.

“We expect that before the removal of fuel subsidy, some tangible palliatives should have been in place and that is what we are agitating for,” Obajemu said.

“We are not fighting against any government or their officials, we are only agitating that the government should have mercy on the masses.

“Organised labour is appealing to the government to have mercy on the masses, because it is the masses that voted for them.

“We are appealing to the government to please listen to the cries of the masses.”

KANO

Residents in Kano turned out en masse and converged on the state library complex before moving to the government house gate.

The protesters also chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions: “End fuel price increase, “fix local refineries, “stop naira devaluation”.

Speaking to the governor at the entrance of the government house, Kabiru Inuwa, Kano NLC chairman, also demanded the reversal of the anti-poor policies and payment of the outstanding salaries for ASUU members.

Responding to the protesters, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano who was represented by Bappa Bichi, secretary to the state government, said all demands will be conveyed to the president.

The governor assured the protesters that the government is doing its best to sustain industrial harmony.