Ex-NLC Chairman Slams AbdulRazaq for Allegedly Suppressing Protests Against Economic Hardship
By Michael Adeoye
A former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara State, Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe, has slammed the Kwara state government for stifling protests against the fuel subsidy removal, which has exacerbated hardship among citizens.
According to Ayeoribe protesters were barred from marching around the Ministry of Works area, instead, they were restricted to Cosmopolitan Square at Asa-dam.
“Restricting protest to Cosmopolitan square is no more protest, and it stands condemned. People have the right to protest anywhere, and they shouldn’t be stifled in doing that.”
He lambasted Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying: “It’s condemnable that a governor that was democratically elected by the masses would use the resources the same masses put in his custody against their interests.”
Ayeoribe emphasized the government’s responsibility to provide security for protesters, stating: “The government ought to rightly ensure adequate provision of security to those who wish to protest, that’s all.”
In a stern warning, Ayeoribe cautioned the governor against his “anti-democratic tendencied” especially when the masses are suffering from the government’s poor economic policies. He warned that the increasing poverty levels could lead to greater discontent.
