The protesters are currently heading to the second gate of the building and have vowed to also pull it down.
Members of the organised labour who are currently protesting in Abuja have forcefully pulled down the main gate of National Assembly to gain entry into the complex.
Armed policemen stationed at the entrance had locked the gate to prevent the protesters from gaining access into the building.
But after an altercation between the protesters and security agents, the protesters pulled down the main gate of the complex. The security agents were overpowered by the surging crowd.
The protesters are currently heading to the second gate of the building and have vowed to also pull it down.
The media earlier reported that members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other aggrieved Nigerians on Wednesday trooped to the streets of Abuja, the nation’s capital to protest against the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The protest kicked off from the popular Unity Fountain with members of organized labour displaying placards and banners.
The President of NLC Joe Ajaero and TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo addressed the protesters at the Federal Ministry of Justice, calling on the Nigerian government to address the suffering being faced by the masses arising from the subsidy removal.
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the hikes in fuel prices and the failure of the Tinubu administration to reverse “unfriendly policies targeted against the poor”.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: #BringBackOurRefineries; #LetThePoorBreathe; and #ALUTACONTINUA.
From Unity Fountain, the protesters headed to the National Assembly gate.
READ ALSO : Breaking: Protest Begins In Kano As Nigerians March Against Hardship Under Tinubu’s Government
Heavy Security Presence As Labour Unions, Workers Protest In Lagos, Bayelsa, Kano, Kwara Over Petrol Subsidy Removal
Labour unions in Lagos have commenced Wednesday’s march to protest against the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit, otherwise called petrol and other ‘anti-masses policies’ of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The protest is ongoing at Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.
However, there is a heavy security presence around Ikeja Under-bridge in Lagos where the protesters are gathered.
A protest has also commenced in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
There is also a heavy security presence in Kano, northwest Nigeria where protesters have gathered for mass action.
The media earlier reported that the procession in Bayelsa was taking off from OMPADEC Field, Amara. The protesters, who are mainly workers, will march to the Government House Gate.
The press sighted policemen stationed around Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, while residents went about their daily routines.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday said that it had neither reconsidered nor suspended its planned nationwide protest scheduled for Wednesday.
The labour union made this known in a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, insisting that its demands still remained the same.
The Secretary of the NLC, Emma Ugbaja, after a meeting with the Nigerian government committee, earlier reportedly said that while President Bola Tinubu’s announced intervention measures were welcoming, they were not comprehensive enough.
Ugbaja had hinted that the organised labour comprising NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) would consult with their members to reach a consensus on the next course of action before the end of Tuesday ahead of Wednesday.
However, Ajaero in the statement said, “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.
“Once again, the Nationwide Mass Protest will start tomorrow.”
The organised labour’s demands include the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the government including the recent hikes in petrol prices, school fees and VAT.
The labour unions are also asking the government to fix local refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna; release eight months withheld salaries of university lecturers (members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU) and workers.
Also, the organised labour is demanding that the government should accord appropriate recognition and support to the Presidential Steering Committee and the work of its subcommittees to put a stop to human actions and policies of the government.
1 comment
It’s high time that our Nigeria leaders should listen to the cry of the ordinary citizens, strike actions are not always to the interest of our economy yet the various Government have always welcomed it with two hands wide open.
NLC asking for the repair of our local oil refinery isn’t too much yet our leaders will choose to listen to the western colonials instead of the benefits of the citizens.
Kudos to the protesters for their courage to protect our collective interest.
Price of PMS and other items is growing highest yet salaries and benefits and growing downwards…