There is a split in the approaches of the two labour centres to the present hardship confronting Nigerians in general and workers in particular.
While the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called a nation-wide protest to start today, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) says protest is not the way out of hardship, rather it would propose solutions to the burning issues of economic hardship.
Consequently, the TUC yesterday called on the federal government to begin temporal importation of food to urgently address the pressing hunger and food scarcity in the country.
TUC issued a fresh 15-point demand to the federal government where it outlined recommendations on how to tackle the current food crisis, economic hardship and insecurity.
TUC president, Comrade Festus Osifo, who addressed journalists in Abuja, argued that importing food from abroad at this point will assist in reducing the hyperinflation on food that is currently being experienced locally.
Osifo also suggested that an emergency food coordination centre between the federal and state governments should be set up to interface on the kind of crops to produce and the variety that would yield more per hectare.
Osifo further urged the government to make concerted efforts to curb the state of insecurity across the country so that farmers could return to their farms.
The labour centre also advocated for the implementation of state and community policing, which it said was long overdue.
He said, “The quest for survival is more real today than ever before; Nigerians must live to see tomorrow before we can understand how beautiful a government policy is. The national pride of striving to achieve food sufficiency locally and not importing from abroad should be temporarily relaxed.
“Government at all levels should immediately source and purchase sufficient quantities of food items from different parts of the world and distribute them to the vulnerable Nigerians.”
According to Osifo, the federal government should stop following the dictates of the IMF and World Bank and instead develop homegrown solutions to the country’s economic woes.
On the issue of oil refinery, TUC demanded the commencement of crude oil production from the old Port Harcourt refinery by the end of the first quarter of 2024 and urged expedited rehabilitation of other refineries.
FG To Labour: NLC’s Planned Nationwide Protest Is Gross Contempt
Other demands include: revision of the customs exchange rate for goods used in manufacturing and agriculture to N580-650 per dollar, or tax breaks for these imports; investigation into allegations that government officials are contributing to the devaluation of the Naira by exchanging Naira for dollars on the black market, and curbing of political dollarisation, among others.
TUC also argued that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) determine a realistic exchange rate for the Naira and discourage speculation in the foreign exchange market.
On the new minimum wage, Osifo urged the government to expedite discussions on a new national minimum wage to improve workers’ purchasing power.
Osifo added that the labour planned to submit the 15-point demand document to the federal government with a view of engaging them immediately to develop a framework for onward implementation.
Kaduna Residents Sell Property To Feed, Protest Spreads To Edo, Lagos, Osun
As the untold hardship continued following the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, many Nigerians have resorted in selling off their belongings to raise money to cater for their families’ needs.
LEADERSHIP’s investigation in Kaduna revealed that many resident have either contracted real estate agents to market their properties on social media platforms or have placed signposts on their properties looking for a buyer.
Some of the items for sale include refrigerators, beds and other household items, lands, houses, as well as cars and furniture.
When contacted, one of the distressed house sellers, Stephen Silas, who wants to sell his property at Ungwan Yelwa, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis said, “Things are too tough in this country now as you are aware. I lost my job last year because the owner of my former working place said he could not pay many staff again as the government removed fuel subsidy and some of us should go. I am in terrible need of money to solve my family financial problems and that is why I decided to put my property up for sale.”
A Kaduna-based real estate agent, William Onoja, said the current economic hardship had forced many residents of the state to sell their properties.
“We don’t even have property buyers as they are complaining that they don’t have money to buy properties. On a daily basis, I get up 10 calls from property owners who want to hand them over to me for sale.
“This year alone I have 40 properties for sale. But one thing I always advise is those who want to invest in property business should do so now because their owners are desperately looking for buyers who are not available because they have no money. The properties are cheaper now to buy as the prevailing hardship is biting hard,” he said.
Hunger Protest In Edo
Commercial activities were temporary grounded in Benin City, the Edo State capital, following a protest by the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), calling on President Bola Tinubu to address the problem of hunger in Nigeria.
The group, which took their protest march from the Ring Road down to the Akpakpava Road and other busy roads in the city centre, brandished placards with various inscriptions like “Nigerians are starving to death”, “Tinubu, end hunger and suffering in Nigeria”, “FG, end the hunger in Nigeria now” “Tinubu, let Nigerians breathe,” among others.
The group had earlier given President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima a 14-day ultimatum to quit power or fix the Nigerian economy.
It made the call in a communique signed by its interim TEC chairman, Austine Enabulele and made available to newsmen in Benin.
Addressing newsmen at the venue of the protest, interim chairman, Enabulele, said the 14-day ultimatum given to the president had since elapsed and nothing had been done to address the issue of hunger in the country.
“If you remember, on the 10th of February, we did hold a press briefing and gave the federal government two weeks to fix the problems of Nigeria, to fix the suffering and hunger in Nigeria.
“That two weeks have long expired and nothing has been done. So, we have come out today to tell President Bola Tinubu to fix the hunger and suffering in Nigeria, that enough is enough; we cannot take the pains anymore. Enough of the hunger, enough of the hardship, enough of bad governance in Nigeria.
“If he can’t fix the problems of Nigeria, he should resign quickly with his Vice President Shettima and let us conduct a fresh election because Nigerians are dying every day; children are now becoming orphans because their fathers are dying of the hardship in Nigeria,” he said.
Hardship: Protest Spreads to Lagos
In Lagos State, human rights groups operating under the aegis of the Joint Action Front and the Coalition for Revolution yesterday stormed the streets of Lagos State to protest against hardship caused by soaring price of food and rising cost of living in the country.
The protesters, who brandished placards with various inscriptions, massed at Ojuelegba under the bridge area of the state to make their grievances known on the current economic hardship across the country.
According to the national coordinator of the Take It Back Movement that is part of the coalition, Juwon Sanyaolu, the protest was a demonstration of the people’s will against oppressive tendencies and hardship.
“Yes, despite police attempts to frustrate the people, Lagosians stood their ground. The police are paid by taxpayers’ money, they are meant to secure us.
“We were able to march from Yaba Labour House to Maryland. The protest will continue tomorrow and updates will be given. We will join the NLC in their nationwide mass action to put an end to this hardship created by the ruling elite.
Sanyaolu added that “The Tinubu-led government must immediately reverse the fuel subsidy removal, the floating of naira and other policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it imposed on Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command has refuted the claims in a widely circulated post that the police prevented some CSOs from embarking on hunger protests slated to take place today and tomorrow in the state
The state’s police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police said the police were on hand to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums.
Police Mobilise, Say Violent Protest A Criminal Offence
In Kwara State, the police have reminded members of the public that violent protest is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated in the state.
“Violent protest is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated in the state of harmony,” the state commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya warned in a statement.
The spokesperson of the police in the state, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement said the commissioner of police had directed the deployment of policemen across the state to guarantee the safety and security of the good people of the during the workers’ planned peaceful protest.
“To facilitate a smooth and orderly protest, CP Victor Olaiya had engaged in dialogue with representatives of the NLC and other relevant stakeholders on 26th February 2024. The discussion was to ensure a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful demonstration while safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.
“In compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, CP Victor Olaiya emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and order, affirming that while citizens have the right to a peaceful protest, adding any form of violence or disruption of public peace will not be condoned,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.
In his reaction, Force public relations officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said all commissioners of police and their respective supervising officers had been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.
The inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has also urged all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, by adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others are protected.
… NLC Proceeds With Peaceful Protests Despite Several Appeals
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is going forward with planned peaceful protests across Nigeria on Tuesday and Wednesday, despite appeals from the federal government to call them off.
NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the decision following emergency talks between union leaders and a government delegation in Abuja.
The meeting was hosted by Secretary to the Government George Akume, aimed to address unions’ pressing concerns about severe economic hardship facing many Nigerians.
While acknowledging the government’s concerns, Ajaero stated the lawful protests would proceed to allow citizens to express grievances and demands for urgent relief.
He said the government has a responsibility to provide security as part of fundamental rights in the constitution.
The NLC intends to rally at national and state assemblies nationwide to submit petitions calling for economic reforms, cost-of-living adjustments, and other actions to alleviate hardship for working families.
Ajaero emphasized the protests aim to constructively engage the government and lawmakers on solutions, not confrontation.
He expressed hope the rallies would inspire good faith compromise on steps to stabilize the economy and aid struggling citizens.
The minister of information, Mohammed Idris had told state house correspondents on Monday after the federal executive council meeting that the government had met over 80 percent of the demands by labor.
The meeting on Monday night with Labor was attended by Key government representatives included the Agriculture Minister, Budget Minister, Labor Minister, Attorney General, Head of Service, intelligence director and others.
… Police Mobilise, Say Violent Protest A Criminal Offence
In Kwara State, the police have reminded members of the public that violent protest is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated in the state.
“Violent protest is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated in the state of harmony,” the state commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya warned in a statement.
The spokesperson of the police in the state, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement said the commissioner of police had directed the deployment of policemen across the state to guarantee the safety and security of the good people of the during the workers’ planned peaceful protest.
“To facilitate a smooth and orderly protest, CP Victor Olaiya had engaged in dialogue with representatives of the NLC and other relevant stakeholders on 26th February 2024. The discussion was to ensure a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful demonstration while safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.
“In compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, CP Victor Olaiya emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and order, affirming that while citizens have the right to a peaceful protest, adding any form of violence or disruption of public peace will not be condoned,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.
In his reaction, Force public relations officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said all commissioners of police and their respective supervising officers had been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.
The inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has also urged all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, by adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others are protected.
