Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has exhibited leadership by example as he joined the Nigerian Labour Congress in solidarity with the hardship in Nigeria.
A picture showing Governor Makinde in the midst of the protesters at Ibadan, Oyo State has emerged online.
Details shortly…
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Lagos converged under the Ikeja bridge early on Tuesday to begin their two-day protest over the high cost of living in the country.
Traffic on the Awolowo Road leading to the under-bridge Ikeja mounted as the protesters gathered, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards.
Recall that the National body of the NLC had on Feb. 16 declared a two-day protest over high cost of living, fixed for Feb. 27 and Feb. 28.
The protesters were seen on Tuesday in Ikeja as early as 8.00 a.m. and there was heavy police presence also seen at the Ikeja under bridge.
Speaking before the march began at 9. 15 a.m., the Lagos State Chairman, NLC, Mrs Funmi Sessi, said that the protest was against the economic hardship faced by workers and Nigerians at large.
“The price of foodstuff has gone beyond the reach of Nigerians; the price of rice has gone up and beans as well.
“The monthly salary of workers no longer takes them home, not to talk about taking care of their families.
“We are marching to the State House of Assembly to present a letter; this protest is purely organised by the NLC, with support of some affiliate bodies” she said.
She commended the security operatives led by the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, who was physically present to lead the team to ensure hoodlums do not hijack the protest.
Security operatives including police, civil defence, neighbourhood watch and LASTMA were both at the front and back of the protesters.
This was to ensure they were protected, according to the commissioner of police’s promise.
Fayoade, had on Monday met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state ahead of the two-day protest.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Monday night.
Hundeyin said that the leadership of the union was invited by the Commissioner to look into all areas about the planned protest.
“The CP has equally assured that the Police will be on ground throughout the protest to ensure their security,” he said.
Hundeyin said that the NLC Chairperson in Lagos, who led the team to the command, Mrs Funmi Sessi, assured the commissioner of a peaceful protest by her members.
He said the chairperson submitted a letter of notification on the protest to the police boss.
The image maker said that the NLC protest would take off from Ikeja Under Bridge to Alausa, the seat of Lagos State Government.
Heavily armed police operatives were seen at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota and other parts of Lagos on Monday, in readiness for the planned protest.
Earlier in the day, Fayoade had also been to the NLC secretariat to address some other protesters from civil society groups who took to the streets over the cost of living, according to Hundeyin in an earlier statement.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fayoade addressed the protesters before the procession took off in his presence.
“The procession was peaceful and without any untoward incident,’’ Hundeyin said, adding that Fayoade personally monitored the security operation and the protest.
He stated that the protesters neither caused traffic obstruction nor got involved in violent activities.
He explained that the procession moved from Yaba area to Maryland, stressing that the police were with the protesters all the way.
“The protesters played their part well and did not obstruct traffic,”’/ Hundeyin said.
Following the economic crisis in the country, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have started protests in several parts of the nation.
Government authorities had met yesterday in a late push to stop the protest, but the meeting ended with no agreement reached between the parties.
As early as 7:00 am, protesters started gathering in different parts of the country, bearing placards and putting on the paraphernalia of the NLC.
Details later…
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr Victor Olaiya, has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other unions against violenct protest in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command Spokesperson, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi in Ilorin.
According to the statement, the CP has directed the deployment of Police personnel across the state in anticipation of the planned protest scheduled to take place on Feb. 27 and 28, organised by the NLC, in collaboration with other unions.
Olaiya said the deployment was to guarantee the safety and security of people of kwara during the peaceful protest.
“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,” he said.
He emphasised that while citizens had the right to a peaceful protest, any form of violence or disruption of public peace would not be condoned.
“The Commissioner of Police held a strategic meeting with Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), directing them to implement proactive measures to prevent any potential breach of law and order.
“To facilitate a smooth and orderly protest, CP Olaiya engaged in dialogue with representatives of the NLC and other relevant stakeholders on Feb. 26.”
“The discussion was to ensure a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful demonstration while safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.”
Olaiya reiterated the command’s commitment to uphold the rights of individuals to express themselves peacefully, emphasizing that any individual found instigating violence or engaging in unlawful behaviour would face the full wrath of the law.
The Commissioner assured residents, visitors, and stakeholders in the state that adequate security measures had been put in place to safeguard lives and property during the protest.
“He urges members of the public to report any suspicious activities or incidents to the nearest police station or through the Command Control Number: 07032069501 or 08125275046.”
The Police Command in Kano has placed its security personnel on red alert ahead of Tuesday and Wednesday’s proposed protest by members of the organised labour unions in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hussaini Gumel, in Kano said that proactive security measures had already been adopted to ensure peaceful and orderly protest in all parts of the state.
He said the deployment was in recognition of right to peaceful protest, in line with extant laws, as a fundamental right of citizens.
Gumel explained that an operational order for the personnel had been issued to area commanders, tactical commanders, and divisional police officers across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He said the command was working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crisis-free movements of those who wanted to protest.
“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints, including political party offices, banks, commercial areas, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the protest.
“I am giving 100 per cent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their legitimate daily activities without threat to lives and property,” the commissioner said.
He said armed security personnel would be in all identified strategic locations in different parts of the state, to ensure surveillance duties and provide physical security during the protest.
The commissioner expressed optimism that security measures already put in place would promote peaceful coexistence amongst the residents during and after the protest.
He said that the command would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the protest as officers were on red alert to confront any form of security threats in and outside the metropolis.
” We call upon those that want to protest to go about it in a civilised manner as our professional security personnel would carefully monitor the entire exercise.
Police did not seal the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at Yaba, Lagos, on Monday as being rumoured, police spokesman in Lagos State, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has said.
Hundeyin disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, only went to the NLC secretariat to address protesters.
He was reacting to the rumour and giving reasons for heightened security upgrade in hotspots around Lagos on Monday.
Heavily armed police operatives were seen at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota and other parts of Lagos on Monday, in readiness for a planned protest by organised labour.
The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had scheduled a nationwide strike for Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 to protest what they called hardship currently being faced by Nigerians.
They charged that the hardship was inflicted on Nigerians following hike in prices of goods and services consequent upon the removal of fuel subsidy and the free fall of the naira.
The TUC, however, pulled out of the scheduled protest on Saturday.
Hundeyin said the police proactively arrived at the NLC secretariat and at other hotspots to ensure adequate security for planners of the strike and to prevent their procession from being hijacked by hoodlums.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fayoade addressed the protesters before the procession took off in his presence.
“The procession was peaceful and without any untoward incident,’’ Hundeyin said, adding that Mr Fayoade personally monitored the security operation and the protest.
He stated that the protesters neither caused traffic obstruction nor got involved in violent activities.
He explained that the procession moved from Yaba area to Maryland, stressing that the police were with the protesters all the way.
“The protesters played their part well and did not obstruct traffic.
“The police provided adequate security and ensured the procession was not hijacked. Everything went fine.
“All the protesters have since dispersed. It has been a good day,’’ Hundeyin stressed.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has placed its officers on a red alert ahead of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The police, meanwhile, affirmed the fundamental right of all citizens of the country to engage in peaceful protest in line with extant laws.
As such, the NPF reiterates its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.
The police also said proportional force would be used in any attempt to leverage the nationwide protests to create brouhaha, adding that the police will not allow wanton break down of law and order.
“In line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.
“All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have 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.
“While recognizing the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents.
“Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.
“It is vital to state that the Police has spread its tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha, and such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force as the Police will not allow wanton break down of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in any part of the country.
“The Inspector-General of Police urges all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others.
“He also calls on the organizers to cooperate with the Police and other relevant security agencies in ensuring that their protests remain peaceful and orderly even as the NPF works tirelessly to ensure that protests are conducted in a safe environment, conducive to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria,” a statement by the police reads.
… despite police warning
A human rights group identified as the “Take It Back Movement” has hit the streets of Lagos State to protest against the soaring price of food and the high cost of living in the country.
This protest was held despite the warning issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, on Sunday.
The protesters were seen carrying placards of various inscriptions at Ojuelegba under bridge area of the state to make their grievances known on the current economic hardship across the country.
Details shortly…
Following the planned demonstrations by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) slated for February 27 and 28, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged Yorubas against participating in any protest.
Recall that NLC announced plans to embark on a two-day strike to protest the hardship currently being faced by Nigerians.
In a statement on Sunday, Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, urged Nigerians to come to terms with the realities of the nation’s challenges.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working to resolve the challenges it inherited over the years.
“As a responsible leader, I appeal to every Yoruba man and woman, young and old, and our fellow citizens across the nationalities, to exercise patience and refrain from engaging in protests or actions that may escalate tensions.
“The outcry over the hardship, hunger, and price hikes is not unexpected. However, we must come to terms with the realities of our national challenges, which the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is striving to resolve.
“While acknowledging the hardships faced by our people, it is important to recognise that these economic measures, although difficult, are part of a larger strategy aimed at restoring economic prosperity and stability to Nigeria.
“The government’s commitment to implementing these measures is a testament to its dedication to addressing the root causes of our economic challenges, inherited from the ills of the previous years.”
The elder statesman advised Nigerians to trust the government’s commitment to the welfare of the citizens.
“Let us engage in constructive dialogue and contribute positively to the ongoing economic reforms. Join me in appealing for unity and understanding among our people. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger as a nation.
“It is important to note that the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira is not undertaken lightly, as we all know the great damage done to our national prosperity through the nefarious activities of the agents of darkness within the oil and financial sectors.”
