As the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to protest the removal of subsidy on petrol enters the second day, a coalition of civil society groups, professional bodies, and the general public are poised to ensure business and social activities remain shut down across the country.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, which has so far witnessed the largest turnout by protesters, people have started to converge on the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota, a suburb of the city, to continue to put pressure on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision withdrawing petrol subsidy. While offices and commercial activities remain paralysed in the metropolis, reports from other parts of the country also indicate that protesters are equally resolved to sustain the protests.
Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, South West Nigeria, remains calm as government offices, banks and other business outfits, remain shut. The situation has however made living condition unbearable for the residents who now face acute water shortage due to the strike. Roads in the state capital remain deserted while security operatives have been drafted to strategic locations to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, vice president of the NLC, Mr. Isa Aremu has reaffirmed the resolve of the organised labour to continue the action until the federal government reverts the policy on petrol subsidy.
Speaking to Channels Television in Abuja shortly before leading a procession through the streets of Abuja, Mr. Aremu urged the federal government to listen to the cry of the people.
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, and an activist, Aishat Hamza appealed to the government to return the fuel subsidy which removal was announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency on January 1, 2012.
It is the second day of the rally organised by a civil society group by the name LASCO to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government in Ilorin. Commercial and other activities in the Kwara State capital are grounded, while protesters have hit the streets. The procession took off from the NLC secretariat through Offa Road en route Post Office, Murtala Mohammed Way, Maraba, Sokoto Road and heading for the government house.
In Akure, the Ondo State capital, protesters gathered at the Cultural Centre, Adegbemile as early as 8a.m, from where they trekked to the city centre on Oba Adesida Road where they were joined by angry youths waving leaves and chanting anti-government songs and calling for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Though the protest has been violence-free, police officers and men were on ground to maintain law and order as the people showed their anger to the development. Meanwhile, business and commercial activities remain paralysed Akure and the streets deserted.
