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Tag: Nationwide Protest

  • We won’t be part of planned nationwide protest – Delta students

    We won’t be part of planned nationwide protest – Delta students

    Students of tertiary institutions in Delta State, have dissociated themselves from the planned nationwide protest.

    The planned protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, is scheduled for August 1 to August 10, which according to the organisers, the protest is to draw the attention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the plight of Nigerians and rising cost of living.

    President, National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU), Comrade Monday Wiska, at a press conference in Asaba, said students of tertiary institutions in Delta State were strongly in support of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and vowed to protect Delta against such a protest.

    Flanked by student leaders across the state higher institutions, Comrade Wiska, highlighted various interventions of the Oborevwori-led administration in the education sector and called on students in the state to boycott the planned protest as it was not in the best interest of the students.

    According to him; “we are here today to address a very pressing global issue that bothers on our students community in Delta State over the alleged planned nationwide protest.

    “As a voice of students body, I urge all students to boycott the nationwide protest that is planned to take place on the 1st of August, 2024.

    “While it is important to stand up for our rights and advocate for our concerns, the upcoming protest do not serve the best interests of students.

    “With the level of security information in our disposal, the protest described to be disruptive and could potentially harm our academic progress and may also lead to conflicts and unrest on campus, jeopardizing our safety and well-being.

    “I must unequivocally state that as students leaders, we seriously frown at the current hardship in the nation but it is important to note that this hardship is not caused by our state as the state government has opened the application/registration of the 2024 Students Special Assistant Scheme (Bursary Payment) to help alleviate the financial burden on students of Delta State.

    “This is a deliberate action that underscores the commitment of the state government to assist students and we are currently in talks with the state government to consider an upward review of the Bursary so as to help mitigate the hardship in the country.

    “The Delta State Government has provided a conducive learning environment for our students and are doing more in infrastructure on campus and we don’t want any protest that is capable of destroying these infrastructures on campus.

    “It is worthy to note that the current hardship we are experiencing today is a global issue and of which our state government has been giving palliatives to vulnerable groups in the state to help alleviate this hardship over time.

    “The State government has been very students friendly and has provided the opportunity for us to always channel the concerns, interest and aspirations of our students over time.

    “We have security information that some misguided elements are planning to penetrate some campuses in the state to cause harm and unrest in our students community using this planned protest as disguise.

    “Lastly, we wish to appeal to our students not to be deceived by anyone whatsoever and not to partake in any protest and also to assure them of our already existing good working relationship, collaboration and partnership with the State Government in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to our students in Delta State.”

  • Engage organisers of nationwide protest, Reps minority caucus tells FG

    Engage organisers of nationwide protest, Reps minority caucus tells FG

    The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to engage in talks with the protesters.

    The protest tagged ‘EndBadGovernance’ has gained traction on social media and has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August.

    The organisers of the protest have been anonymous.

    Worried by the implications on the economy, the lawmakers want President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the concerns of the protesters.

    This was part of the Caucus’ resolution at the end-of-session dinner in Abuja.

    Briefing journalists after the dinner on Tuesday night in Abuja, the Chairman of the Caucus, Hon Kingsley Chinda, however, discouraged the planned protest, especially against the background of insecurity in parts of the country.

    “We also appealed to the government to dialogue with the planned protesters and also look at some of the messages they are raising, the critical areas that need government intervention. Government should intervene and ensure that issues are resolved amicably,” he said.

    We are not going to encourage any protesters because in the past we have observed in most cases that even peaceful protests have been overtaken by hoodlums and with the insecurity situation in some parts of the country, you may not have control of the gathering of people. So some unscrupulous people may use the opportunity to create chaos.

    “So we are discouraging any protest but we appeal to the government to dialogue and also look at critical areas that are necessary and address them amicably.”

    Chinda also advised the government to adopt the carrot-and-stick method in addressing the problem of insecurity in the country.

    “We acknowledge and observe the insecurity situation in the country and we call on the government to use carrot and stick by ensuring that let the result be seen. Let all the security chiefs do what is right to ensure that Nigerians are protected,” he said

  • Pat Utomi replies presidency’s allegation of LP leaders planning nationwide protest

    Pat Utomi replies presidency’s allegation of LP leaders planning nationwide protest

    Nigerian political economist and one of the key members of the Labour Party Prof Pat Utomi has debunked a statement by a presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga alleging his involvement in the proposed ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest.

    It would be recalled that the Bola Tinubu- led administration on Saturday accused supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi of sponsoring the planned nationwide protests against economic hardship.

    President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, without evidence, alleged that the protest organisers are the same individuals involved in the 2020 ENDSARS protests, which were infiltrated by separatist elements.

    Onanuga further warned that the planned demonstrations could lead to anarchy and said the former Anambra governor should be held accountable for any resulting crisis.

    His post has generated controversy online and offline.

    Reacting to this, Utomi via a post on the microblogging platform, X, said that he has been resident in the United States for months and had no idea about the said protest.

    “Esteem just collapsed before me. I used to think Bayo Onanuga was a journalist of some standing until I began to receive calls this morning about his accusing me of planning demonstrations for August,” he began.

    “First I have been resident in Washington DC and occupied by an intense Fellowship for months with additional work on a book project such that I did not even know demonstrations were being planned until I called a senior civil servant in Abuja who I sent a questionnaire on public policy reforms.

    “I mentioned I would be in Ghana for events around the AU summit and he said if you will come into Nigeria careful that demonstrations in August do not make you run into flight disruptions.

    “That is how I heard of protests being planned. This morning when I heard about Onanuga’s comment my inclination was to ignore it. But another caller suggested it could deliberate falsehood to rationalize a sinister plan. I would like Mr Onanuga to present any evidence to justify his comment.”

  • Don’t copy Kenya – Lawmaker begs Nigerians ahead of nationwide protest

    Don’t copy Kenya – Lawmaker begs Nigerians ahead of nationwide protest

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu on Thursday urged youths to avoid any form of protests over the current economic hardship.

    The lawmaker while speaking during plenary insisted that Nigeria is the giant of Africa and it would be degrading for citizens to carry placards and line up the streets like other small African countries.

    Kalu who admitted that there was economic hardship in the country, appealed to the citizenry to be patient with the federal government.

    According to him, “We have a problem. It is not in doubt, Mr. Speaker. There is no member here who disagrees with the point that there is a problem in Nigeria. But also there is no representative here who doesn’t believe that problems that we refer to did not just arise overnight. It is a compilation of years of difficulties that piled up.

    “There is an agreement in our mind also that one year is not enough to resolve hydra headed problems, and as a solution hub, what we are here to do is to find the best plug to fit into the hole that will soothe the pain of Nigerians. Nigeria is bleeding. We agree. We are also Nigerians.

    “So, I want to join in the prayers of this motion to speak to the people of Nigeria. Your crying is right. Your complaint of hardship is right. But is the solution found in carrying placard and lining the streets? Is the solution found in copying a country lesser than us? The references that are made today to Kenya and the rest of them; they are smaller countries to Nigeria.

    “We are giant of Africa. We must proffer solution that is better and sustainable and lasting. That solution is not found in our children being killed on the street while protesting. It is not found in our raising placard. It is found in supporting the policies of government and understanding that these policies need time to begin to materialize.

    “Rome was not built in a day. In 360 days, the president of this country has not rested, has not gone on Jamboree, has not gone to pursue shadows. He has been deliberately, intentionally laying foundation for a nation that needs stability.’’

  • NLC Strike: Lagos transport operators will not join the strike – MC Oluomo

    NLC Strike: Lagos transport operators will not join the strike – MC Oluomo

    The Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly referred to as  MC Oluomo, has assured Lagosians that transport operators will not be part of the protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC) billed for today, August 2nd.

    According to MC Oluomo, transport operators wouldn’t join the protest because the Lagos State government has produced a conducive environment for them to operate.

    He added that the state government has provided some interventions for commercial transport operators.

    A statement by MC Oluomo reads partly: “After much deliberations and review, we discussed the high cost of food, transport fares and other areas of public interest, in particular, the plan by the organised Labour union i.e. the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call workers out on a strike action.

    “After a careful discussion, we concluded that we will not be part of any strike or protest rally being planned to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the issue being debated in the country.

    “Lagos State Government has provided a conducive atmosphere for our operations. There is, therefore, no reason for us to join any strike that may threaten the peace of the State.

    “We at Lagos State Parks and Garages, therefore, equivocally say no to any form of strike and protest by any group or organized labour.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that NLC would embark on a nationwide protest, today, Wednesday, over the hike in the pump price of fuel.

    Recall that there has been hike in fuel price following the subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu.

  • Pensioners give FG 21-day ultimatum, threaten nationwide protest

    Pensioners give FG 21-day ultimatum, threaten nationwide protest

    Pensioners in Nigeria have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest giving the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum.

    The pensioners during a briefing at the nation’s capital, Abuja called on the Federal Government to implement the Consequential adjustment of pensions, arising from the implementation of the National minimum wage for Nigerian workers; hence they will occupy streets in protest.

    The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abel Afolayan said it is disheartening that after two years of implementing the national minimum wage, the Federal Government is yet to approve their demands as stipulated in the constitution.

    Quoting from the 1999 constitution with respect to sections 173(3) and 210 (3) as it affects the 5 -yearly review of pension, Afolayan said they should be a review or together with the salary reviews of workers

    The pensioners said further that two years after the adjustment of salaries and the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage as approved by the Government, they are still waiting for the approval of their own consequential adjustment of monthly pensions, in compliance with the above constitutional stipulation, even after several efforts by the national leadership of the union.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that retired soldiers earlier in January occupied the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, over the non-payment of their pension arrears.

    The ex-servicemen appealled to the Federal Government to approve the payment of minimum wage arrears accruing to them between 2019 till date.

    They also demanded a stop on all deductions on the pension of all retired medical officers as well as the inclusion of officers who fought during the civil war on the military pension scheme.

  • Minimum wage: NLC to embark on nationwide protest today

    Minimum wage: NLC to embark on nationwide protest today

    The Nigerian Labour Congress will today (Wednesday) embark on a nationwide protest over moves by the National Assembly to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the NLC said the protest will hold in the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly.

    It added that the protest will start from the Unity Fountain Abuja at 7:30 am to the National Assembly complex.

    The Congress had after its emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja last Tuesday, vowed to resist “any attempt to exterminate Nigeria’s working class”.

    The House of Representatives two weeks ago debated a bill to remove the powers to negotiate wage matters from the exclusive to the concurrent list, citing the inability of state governors to pay the N30,000 minimum wage for the move.

    According to a communique jointly signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and the acting General Secretary of the NLC, Ismail Bello, the bill is an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s working class.

    “The NEC decided that there will be a national protest action commencing from March 10, 2021, in the Federal Capital Territory and especially to the National Assembly.

    “The NEC decided that should the need arise, it has empowered the National Administrative Council of the NLC to declare and enforce a national strike action, especially if the legislators continue on the ruinous path of moving the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list,” it read in part.

  • Onnoghen: CUPP declares nationwide protest on Friday

    The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has declared a nationwide protest for Friday to coincide with the day the prosecution of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, is expected to start at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The coalition’s spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, stated this in a statement on Wednesday.

    He was reacting to the arrest warrant issued by the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar, against Onnoghen.

    He said the arrest warrant was a confirmation of the coalition’s position that the Presidency had intensified efforts to clamp down on the CJN and use the offensive against him to intimidate the judiciary and divert attention from the issues of incompetence of the present administration.

    He added that the planned arrest and arraignment of the CJN a few hours to the election was meant to use “fake anti-corruption fight” to lure voters into believing the President is fighting corruption.

    He said, “It is ridiculous that a government that has been promising free and fair elections can be planning to arraign the country’s CJN on Friday, 24 hours to the country’s presidential election.

    “We see this as a last minute effort to divert attention, confuse Nigerian voters and cover the President’s incompetence few hours to the election.

    “It is also an attempt to divert attention from electoral violence being planned by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    “We, therefore, call for a mass protest across the 36 states of the federation on Friday, being the day scheduled for the arraignment of the CJN.