Labour protest: Situation In The Country No Longer Bearable, Kwara Labour Chair Tells Tinubu As NLC Suspends Nationwide Protest, Extends Ultimatum By Seven Days

By  Johnson Olayinka

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kwara state Council yesterday joined the national body to stage a peaceful rally to protest the economic hardship in the country.

The union members and other affiliates in Ilorin metropolis and terminated the rally at the governors office on Ahmadu Bello way Ilorin.

Addressing members of the union during the protest rally ,the Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress Kwara state Council,Comrade Murtala Olayinka said the situation in the country is no longer bearable.

He urged president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to search for those who know the job and give them the opportunity to serve the country.

Comrade Olayinka said the country has a lot of experienced people who can assist in fixing the economy .

He explained that the situation in which the nation’s currency continue to lose value every second and the price of goods and services are increasing is not good for the economy.⁰

The NLC chairman also noted that the insecurity situation in the country is very disturbing.

He urged the federal government to tightened security to make the nation better and habitable.

In his remarks the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara state Council,Comrade Ahmed Abdullateef appealed to the federal government to consider reintroduction of fuel subsidy to reduce hardship on the people.

He said it is a know fact that the price of fuel determines the prices of goods and services in the country.

Meanwhile,the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has suspended its nationwide protest for day two, after reviewing the initial day as highly impactful.

President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Ag. General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello President disclosed the suspension of the exercise in a communique made available to the media on Tuesday night.

Ajaero said the NEC of Congress in session on Friday 16th 2024, had ordered a 2-Day Nationwide Protest to join Nigerians in demonstrating outrage over the massive suffering and hunger facing the masses and workers as a result of the policies of the government to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and float the Naira.

According to him, NEC-in-session therefore reviewed the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest to assess its effectiveness and take decision on further necessary action to guide Congress in its effort at engaging government to protect the people and Nigerian workers from the increasing scourge of hardship.

He said, to this end, NEC commended Nigerians, all NLC affiliates, state councils,workers, and society allies across the nation for trooping out in large numbers to peacefully demonstrate their outrage on the hardship imposed by the government and its twin altars – the IMF and the World Bank.

He said NEC deeply appreciates Nigerian workers and masses for sending a strong message to the powers that be on their united resolve to demand accountability from those who occupy positions of leadership in our nation. It believed that the message has strongly resonated.

Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved to suspend street action for the second day of the protest, having achieved overwhelming success, thus achieving the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.

“However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress, including the National Headquarters.

“To reaffirm and extend the 7-day ultimatum by another 7 days, which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024, within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreements of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.

“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.

“Once again, NEC recommits the NLC to continuing defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses,” NLC stated in the communiqué