- By Femi Alabi
The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC planned Protest witnessed another twist when the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde personally joined the protest.
The protesters expressed their anger towards the government saying things had become so though for the masses.
In order to ensure that the protest doesn’t degenerate into anarchy, the Governor arrived early at Total Garden, along Secretariat road, Agodi.
Makinde while addressing the protesters called for calm noting that the hardship would be over soon.
Makinde, who declared his support for the protesters calling for an end to hardship and hunger being experienced by the people, however, warned that the protests must be peaceful and constructive in order to achieve the desired result.
He said it was time for the country as a whole to come together and address the challenges and problems facing it, adding that it is, indeed, a trying period for Nigerians.
The governor compared the present situation with what obtained in 1989, during the days of the Structural Adjustment Programme, saying that reforms always come with consequent challenges but it has become imperative for all Nigerians to work together.
“My message to the protesters and people of Oyo State is to simply let them know that this is a trying period for our country. It is not the time for divisive activities. We have to pull together and confront the challenges that we are faced with.
“Usually, when you are going through a period where you are trying to reform a system, there will be challenges. We saw it in 1989 during the Structural Adjustment Programme. We had riots but, at the end of the day, we still all came together to solve our problem.
“I told the NLC president that this is not the time for lies and propaganda. No one can say that no state is paying wage awards, as we have been paying it to our workers and pensioners since October 2023.
“Even, I have extended it by another six months to give us the opportunity to sit down and negotiate the minimum wage and the adjustment that will come with it.”
“So, I have appealed to them though I know that this protest is their right. I will pass the letter they gave to me to the President.
“I know there is hunger and anger in the land, but the solution is still for us to pull together.”