Protests called by the Nigeria Labour Congress is on across many cities of the country as workers and sympathisers trooped out today to join rallies organised by the organised labour.
The rallies are called to hype the sympathy for the Academic Staff Union of Universities which is on its sixth month of industrial action.
Prominent Nigerian lawyer, Femi Falana, joined protesters in Lagos on Tuesday as the NLC Lagos Chapter led the mobilisation for the rally.
In PortHarcourt, protesters were first seen assembling at the state office of the congress.
Mrs. Agness Sessi, who is the Chairman of the Lagos council of NLC said the NLC had given the Muhammadu Buhari government two weeks within which to resolve the ASUU logjam.
She said: “Our statement is simple. This is just a warning action. If the government fails to conclude all the negotiations and agreements with all the workers in our tertiary education within two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country, they will also witness the annoyance, anger and frustration of Nigerians. This government has pushed so many Nigerians into depression. We say enough is enough, we can no longer bear this hardship again.”
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, protesters gathered chanting anti-government songs just as they demanded that the strike by ASUU should end in the next two weeks.
Falana, while addressing the protesters, said the living standards of Nigerians are getting worse, adding that the incumbent administration has left the citizens in a state of frustration. Falana also made reference to the President’s statement that he is eager to leave office.
“As we are gathered here today, terrorism has taken over our country; hardship has taken over our country; depression has taken over our country; the recession has taken over our country, but President Buhari is junketing all over the world. He’s already told Nigerians that he’s tired and he’s anxious to go home. We are therefore saying today that Buhari must go.
“For lecturers in our tertiary institutions and other workers, we are full with you. Like our comrades have said, this is a warning protest, #EndSARS protest will be a child’s play because we’re tired and frustrated and disenchanted. And I join our comrades in saying that enough is enough.
“Don’t let them deceive you by saying there is no money in our country. It’s a lie. We reject the dubious economic programmes of this regime. We reject the neoliberal policy of this regime. We can’t continue promoting poverty in the midst of plenty.”
OUR EARLIER POST:
There are anxieties over possible grounding of activities in the country today as employees of critical sectors of the economy today commence a three day warning strike in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The strike is to help ASUU press home its demands which appear to have been ignored in almost six months of industrial face off.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, which is coordinating the strike said it has mobilised its members nationwide to ensure impact.
Details later…
A scene of protests in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital