×

The Saga Continues:Strike Day 4

Four days after Nigeria’s two main labour organisations – the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress – called for a general strike to … Continue reading The Saga Continues:Strike Day 4


Lagos Subsidy Protest

Four days after Nigeria’s two main labour organisations – the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress – called for a general strike to protest the removal of petrol subsidy by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, the entire country remains at a standstill. Although efforts are being made by federal legislators to mediate between the federal government and the labour unions, neither of the parties has yielded any ground on the matter.

Lagos Subsidy Protest

More people grace Lagos rally
At the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos, which has become the rallying point for the protesters in the metropolis, residents have turned out in greater number than the previous days. As has been the case in the past, musicians, clerics, coordinators of civil society groups and professionals are taking turns to entertain and address the crowd, with the protesters shouting their resolve to remain at the park until the Federal Government reverses its decision on petrol subsidy.
No backing down in Imo

The organised labour and some civil society groups in Imo State converged at the roundabout leading to the government house in Owerri , the state capital, as early as 8am in continuation of the peaceful protest against federal government ‘s fuel subsidy removal policy.

The acting chairman of the NLC in the state, Obinna Okafor, while addressing the rally reiterated the need for the federal government to revert the price of petrol to N65 per litre or the union continues with the nationwide strike. Prior to his address, a misunderstanding came up between the protesters and security operatives who were trying to prevent the rally but it was resolved almost immediately.

The archbishop of Owerri Diocese Anthony Obinna who addressed the rally, appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful in their rally to avoid any chaos or riot that might lead to loss of life. He added that the problem of Nigeria is not only about the subsidy issue but a constitutional crisis that needs to be addressed with immediate effect. He blamed the current situation in the country on the poor communication gap between the government and the citizens.

Meanwhile, economic activities in the metropolis are not totally crippled as commercial activities went on normally except banks and government offices which remained closed.

Union leaders suspend protest in Ondo

Major streets of Akure, Ondo State capital still remain deserted with few private vehicles and commercial motorcyclists plying the roads. Government and private offices also remain closed. State leaders of the NLC and TUC called for the suspension of street protests today due to security reports that some aggrieved politicians plan to hijack the protest to cause civil unrest in the state. However, some civil society groups have vowed to continue with the protest