Workers Urge Nigerians to Support August 1 Protest Against Hunger Says Anyone kicking against protest is an enemy
By Omowumi Omotosho
The All Workers Convergence (AWC), a coalition representing Nigerian workers, has issued a strong statement asserting that any opposition to the planned August 1 protest against hunger and bad governance is an affront to the people.
The National Coordinator of AWC, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, announced this stance in a statement on Monday, emphasizing that the upcoming nationwide protest is a necessary response to the severe challenges facing Nigerians today.
In recent days, various individuals and groups have voiced their opposition to the protest. However, AWC has firmly maintained that protesting against poor governance, hunger, and insecurity is a fundamental right of the populace. “We have been calling for protest, and we shall continue to call for protest until the system works for the public good.
We are in full support of calls by Nigerians for massive protest in order to end hunger, hardship, and bad governance in Nigeria.” the statement read.
AWC described the protest as a collective duty and criticized those opposing it as enemies of the people. The group stated, “In a situation like ours in Nigeria, protest becomes a collective duty. It is, however, antisocial not to participate in protest.”
Highlighting the dire situation in the country, AWC noted that many Nigerians are losing hope in the system, with an increasing number planning to leave the country due to the daily struggles caused by poor governance. “Our people are being daily strangled by bad governance. Our government keeps telling us the same old story,” the statement further read.
The workers’ group condemned the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the hardship experienced by the majority, while a select few enjoy immense wealth and waste national resources. “While the mass majority of our people pass through hardship, our rulers and a very few are immersed in unimaginable wealth and wastage of national resources.” The AWC argued.
AWC expressed its full support for the national protest, labeling it a revolt against hunger and a rebellion against hardship. “This protest is a revolt against hunger and a rebellion against hardship. Our people are only trying to resist deprivation. This is a revolution towards the genuine transformation of Nigeria.” the statement declared.
The group called for unity among all protest organizers and affirmed its commitment to seeing the protest through. “We the Nigerian workers support the call for a national protest against hunger and bad governance. Protest everywhere is a fundamental human right. Protest everywhere is lawful. Protest is not a crime. Protest is a duty of all citizens. We shall protest, no going back. We salute the courage of our people as we all continue to mobilize for actions towards the day.” The workers association stated.
The statement concluded with a rallying cry for action, urging Nigerians to join the protest to end corruption, bad governance, and exploitation. “Anybody against this call for protest is an enemy of the people. It is time to emancipate Nigeria from corruption, bad governance and exploitation. We call for synergy among all the organizers of this protest. We shall overcome. No retreat, no surrender.” The statement concluded.
