The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other organised labour unions have begun peaceful protests in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and other places to denounce the recent hike in fuel prices and the government’s failure to reverse other “anti-poor” policies.
On Monday the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provided five hundred billion naira, N500bn (half of what the govt saved since the removal of fuel subsidy), as palliatives.
In view of that NLC with the Trade Union Congress, yesterday held a meeting with the Nigerian Government which ended in a deadlock.
In Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero led a crowd of protesters to the Unity Fountain, where they chanted slogans and carried placards demanding that the government reverse the fuel price hike and address the rising cost of living.
In Kano, organised labour unions also took to the streets to protest the fuel price hike and other government policies.
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also commenced the nationwide protests over the removal of petrol subsidy around 8:00 am.
Ahead of the protest, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday ordered a watertight security strategy across the country.
Egbetokun warned that the Police would not tolerate any act of vandalism, gangsterism, or extortion that threatens public peace and order.
The NLC on Tuesday evening urged Nigerians `to ignore reports about a possible suspension of the protest.
The Congress, in a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, said despite its meeting with the Federal Government, the protest will go on as scheduled across major cities in the country.
“We want to inform all Nigerians that we have just risen from a meeting with the Federal Government where we sought to get them to listen to the demands of the people and workers of Nigeria.
“The outcome of this meeting earlier today has however not changed anything or the course which we have set for ourselves tomorrow as custodians of the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and people.
“Nigerians are advised to ignore the work of fifth columnists who are working hard against the wishes of the people. We urge everyone to gather in our respective states and wherever we may be across the nation to give vent to this collective resolve”, he said.
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