As the planned nationwide protest commenced in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, today, commercial and business activities were put on hold due to the fact that the protest forced residents to stay indoors.
The Coalition of Civil Societies organisations during the protests gave the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), 48 hours ultimatum to declare their support and participate in the protest, reports Daily Independent.
The leadership of the NLC, Trade unions, Park Management System and other affiliated unions had earlier dissociated themselves from the protests.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisation had during the protest given the Nigerian Labour Congress a 48 hours ultimatum to convene Joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a support for the protest.
Also, they called for amongst other things, “Immediate reversal of all of the anti-poor policies specifically the pump price of petrol to N197.
“Immediate repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products.
“Immediate reversal of the decision to hike the electricity Tariff.
“Re – nationalisation of the power sector under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people.
“Political office holders should be placed on the salary and allowance earned by the civil servants.
“Nigeria Police and armed forces must be accorded the right to form and belong to trade union for adequate defense of their economic rights.
“Free education at all levels as constitutionally guaranteed and reversal of current regime of fee hike across the Nigeria public tertiary institutions.
“A national minimum living wage which is constitutionally guaranteed, which rises as inflation rises.
“The National Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC) should convene a joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a 48hours nationwide strike and street protest to support the hunger protest.”
A handful of workers reported for duties at the Oyo state government secretariat, Agodi with heavily armed security agent on standby
Though the protest was peaceful as at the time some of the popular markets and business stores in the ancient city such as Bodija, Oje, Ojoo, Adelabu market, Orita challenge, and Iwo road among others were closed for business activities.
Most of the markets were strictly put under lock and key.The affected markets include, popular Ojoo market,Agodi Motor Spare Parts market, Bodija market Adelabu Market, Iwo road electronic market, Alesinloye markets and cattle market in Akinyele.
Banks were also seen offering skeletal services while gates of some other banks in the Iwo road area were under lock and key.
The youth who commenced the protest peacefully took to major streets of Bodija -UI road, Iwo road, Mokola and Secretariat road among others in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, to demand an end to the crippling issues of hunger and poor governance that have gripped the nation.
The protests train comprising majorly of youths displayed placards with inscriptions such as, Enough of Hunger, “Restore subsidy” proceeded from the Challenge roundabout in Ibadanland Southwest local government to Molete, Agodi Gate and Iwo road where they were joined by other protesters.
Addressing the people at the popular Mokola roundabout, one of the protesters who identifies himself as Buhari said the protest became imperative noting the prevailing hunger in the Country.
According to him, “The nation is at the brink of collapse. Nothing works again. The poverty index is increasing geometrically.
“The subsidy removal has brought more pains than gains. The government is insensitive to the plights of the masses.
“Tinubu has 8 days during which the protests will last to address the lingering economic crisis.”
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