Hundreds of workers, led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and officials of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), embarked on a #LetthePoorBreathe protest against the ‘anti-people policies’ by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Members of the Organised Labour gathered at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, on Wednesday morning carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Kill corruption not subsidy” “Education is our right stop the increase in school fees” “Nigerians say not to anti-people policies” “Let the poor breathe”.
Before heading out for the protest, the NLC President said, “Nothing is stopping the protest. Based on responses from state governments, it is equally our determination whether the protest will be for today, tomorrow or next, not by using force to stop the people from expressing their views. We are here for the protest, to make a statement to Nigerians.”
The protesters’ first stop was the Ministry of Justice, then the National Assembly where the leaders would restate their demands to the government.
NLC demands include the immediate implementation in good faith of the resolutions with Congress, immediate reversal in petrol price, school fees and VAT, fixing of local refineries as well as the release of withheld salaries of workers.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are also on the ground to ensure the protest is conducted peacefully. It would be recalled that the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag. Kayode Egbetokun has stated that violent protests will not be allowed in the country.
Similar protests are ongoing in Lagos, Kano, Abia, Plateau, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun, Imo, and others.
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