•Police on crimson alert as IG orders deployment
•Threatens proportional pressure with troublemakers
•Civil society leaders again motion by NLC
Kingsley Nwezeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja, Sunday Ehigiator, Ugo Aliogo in Lagos, Sylvester Idowu in Warri, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Laleye Dipo in Minna
The federal authorities’s last-ditch try and cease the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from embarking on its deliberate strike failed final night time, as NLC President Joe Ajaero insisted that the protest in opposition to the present state of the financial system would go on as scheduled nationwide at present.
A gathering final night time between the federal authorities and the management of NLC, held behind closed-doors on the workplace of the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation, to attempt to avert the protests led to a impasse.
Inspector-Common of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered Commissioners of Police within the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to impact the deployment of police personnel nationwide to make sure that at present’s protests weren’t hijacked by fifth columnists.
Egbetokun stated the police was absolutely ready to reply swiftly and decisively to any illegal actions or acts of violence that would threaten peace, public security and safety.
Labour-Civil Society Entrance, a coalition of eminent civil society leaders and teams, declared its assist for at present’s protest. The group is devoted to collaborating with the labour motion on pro-people and pro-poor points.
On the similar time, Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, distanced itself from a name by a few of its leaders on the Yoruba to not be a part of the NLC protest.
On the assembly held in an effort to cease the NLC strike, the federal authorities was represented by Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Lawyer Common of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of State Labour, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun; Minister of Funds and Planning, Senator Bagudu Atiku; and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.
The organised labour was represented on the closed-door by Nationwide President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, and his staff, whereas the Commerce Union Congress (TUC) was led by Festus Osifo.
However the labour unions caught to their weapons, insisting the strike will go forward, with the scheduled protests billed for at present and tomorrow in Abuja and different elements of the nation. This was regardless of a warning in opposition to the protests by the Division of State Companies (DSS), which claimed they might jeopardise nationwide safety.
Ajaero confirmed labour’s stance when he spoke to reporters after the assembly.
He stated, “The rally goes on. However it’s a part of their (DSS) constitutional duty to make it possible for the rally is peaceable and whereas we’re going to strive on our personal aspect to ensure it’s peaceable.”
He added that the organised labour would take the protest to the doorstep of the Nationwide Meeting, the place they plan to current their calls for to the lawmakers.
NLC invited the media to the kick-off of the protest rallies.
A discover by NLC posted on its platform final night time acknowledged that the protest would take-off from the Labour Home, headquarters of NLC, by 7am.
However an announcement by the Power Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated the Nigeria Police had deployed personnel nationwide and positioned them on crimson alert to observe the deliberate protest.
The assertion stated, “Consistent with its lawful responsibility to keep up regulation and order, the Nigeria Police has deployed personnel nationwide and positioned them on crimson alert to observe the deliberate protest.
“All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on floor in making certain the protection and safety of all contributors, if the protests maintain as deliberate.”
The assertion additionally stated whereas recognising the significance of peaceable protest, the Nigeria Police remained “vigilant in opposition to any makes an attempt to hijack such protests by people or teams of individuals with sinister intents.
“Emphatically, the pressure, due to this fact, is absolutely ready to reply swiftly and decisively to any illegal actions or acts of violence that will threaten peace, public security, and safety within the occasion of such.
“It is important to state that the police have unfold their tentacles nationwide to curb any try by some people, who would possibly need to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha.
“Such will likely be met with an authorized authorized and proportional pressure, because the police won’t enable wanton breakdown of regulation and order, lack of lives and property, like we had skilled, in some cases, up to now, in any a part of the nation.”
Adejobi additionally acknowledged, “As such, the NPF reiterates its dedication to making sure the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.
“The Inspector-Common of Police urges all contributors on the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, adhering to the ideas of non-violence and respect for the rights of others.”
The IGP known as on organisers of the protest to cooperate with the police and different related safety businesses in making certain that the train remained peaceable and orderly, even because the regulation enforcement company labored to make sure that protests have been carried out in a secure setting, conducive to the promotion of democracy and the rule of regulation in Nigeria.
Civil Society Leaders Again Protest
A coalition of civil society leaders and teams collaborating with the labour motion declared assist for the nationwide protest by NLC.
The group’s place was contained in an announcement collectively signed by its nationwide spokesperson, Comrade (Amb) Nkoyo Toyo (Labour-Civil Society Entrance), Mallam Hamisu San Turaki (United Motion Entrance of Civil Society), and Convener, Nation First Motion, Professor Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia.
The coalition stated it was constrained “to state unequivocally that we’re unwavering in our assist to the organised labour and, due to this fact, absolutely endorse the nationwide mass protest on hardship slated to carry on Tuesday, twenty seventh and Wednesday, twenty eighth February 2024.
“Consequently, we urge our teeming members and allies throughout Nigeria to hitch and take part absolutely within the peaceable nationwide protest to attract authorities’s consideration to the unmitigated sufferings and impoverishment of Nigerians foisted by the senseless implementation of dehumanising financial insurance policies of governments at each nationwide and sub-national ranges of the nation.”
The assertion stated the choice to align with organised labour on the mass motion didn’t have any political, ethnic or spiritual colouration, as starvation, declining well being and orchestrated deaths ravaging Nigerian residents, weren’t discriminatory on the grounds of political affiliation, ethnic and spiritual sentiments.
Protest in Lagos Regardless of Police Warning
A human rights group, “Take It Again Motion,” started a nationwide protest in Lagos in opposition to the financial hardship being skilled within the nation, despite a warning by the state Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade.
The police spokesman in Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, had in an announcement on Sunday quoted Fayoade as warning intending protesters in opposition to violence or acts that would infringe on the rights of others, equivalent to obstruction of site visitors and paralysing the industrial actions within the state.
Fayoade assured residents of Lagos State that essential safety measures had been put in place to guard lives and property, with or with none protest.
Nonetheless, a day to the proposed date of the rallies by labour, the “Take It Again Motion” shunned police warning and took to Ojuelegba under-bridge space of the state to register their displeasure on the rising hardship within the nation
Delta CP Orders Huge Police Deployment
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Abaniwonda Olufemi, ordered large deployment of personnel throughout the state to make sure safety and security in the course of the protest. Olufemi stated this was to make sure that the protest was not hijacked.
He stated the measure was taken in step with the directive of the IGP.
The measures have been contained in an announcement by the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, DSP Brilliant Edafe. It warned all intending protesters that “anybody discovered wanting will likely be instantly arrested and prosecuted”.
Plateau NLC to Be a part of Protest, Says Chair
Plateau State chapter of NLC disclosed that it has concluded preparations to hitch the nationwide secretariat and different state councils to peacefully protest in opposition to the prevailing financial hardship in Nigeria.
Plateau State NLC Chairman, Mr. Eugene Manji, reassured that his chapter would take part within the protest. Manji stated the choice on the State Govt Council assembly was for the chapters to hitch the protest, and association had been put in place to make it a peaceable train.
Manji stated all NLC associates had been briefed and urged to totally mobilise their members for the protest slated for at present and Wednesday.
The state NLC chairman stated, “We’ve got simply accomplished the assembly for the ultimate mobilisation. As I converse to you, we’re nonetheless on the venue of the assembly, and we’re going forward with the protest tomorrow.
“We’re urging all associates to return out of their numbers to take part within the protest in assist of the employees and struggling plenty.”
Police, DSS Invite Niger Labour Leaders
The police and the Division of State Companies (DSS), yesterday, invited the management of the organised labour in Niger State for talks over the protests deliberate for at present and tomorrow.
THISDAY learnt that the conferences with the safety chiefs have been held individually on the police and DSS places of work.
The assembly on the police headquarters, presided the Commissioner of Police, Mr Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, emphasised the necessity for the protest to be peaceable and orderly.
Nonetheless, the one with the DSS was just a little heated, because the operatives warned in opposition to the strike happening as a result of the organisers could be held liable for any breakdown of regulation and order.
The police in response to a supply near the assembly, promised to supply enough safety to the protesters.
Chairman of the NLC in Niger State, Comrade Idris Lafene, confirmed that the assembly befell, in a phone interview with THISDAY.
Lafene stated, “We’re simply coming from the assembly with the police and the DSS, the police promised to offer us safety in the course of the protest.
“We’re going forward with the protest, the whole lot is ready.”
Lafene declared that the protest would begin on the Labour Home to the State Home of Meeting and again.
Afenifere Opposes Curbing Yorubas Proper to Protest in opposition to Tinubu’s IMF Insurance policies
Afenifere distanced itself from the decision by a few of its leaders that the Yoruba mustn’t be a part of the NLC and different protests regarding the state of the nation.
In an announcement by Afenifere Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, and Deputy Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, the organisation acknowledged that Afenifere had all the time supported the correct to protest in a democracy, from the start when Awolowo protested in opposition to the colonial constitutions of 1946 and 1949 that didn’t enable for full federalism.
The assertion learn partly, “Afenifere considers the undemocratic assertion by the renegade ex-members as ill-informed, because the President Tinubu whom they’re making an attempt so desperately defend, was at many occasions an energetic protester in opposition to President Jonathan on points, equivalent to subsidy elimination, Boko Haram terror, and on the kidnapping of the Chibok women.
“The renegades of their determined bid to please President Tinubu conveniently forgot that Citizen Tinubu at the moment took to the streets to protest and at a time even suggested President Jonathan to resign if he discovered governance past his capability.
“Many would recall that Chief Obafemi Awolowo warned Yoruba states and newspapers, like Tribune and Sketch, below his affect by no means to stifle voices of dissent, however embrace voices of opposition, therein, as he posited, the methodology of balancing all views towards a constructive solution-based effort can solely be achieved.”
Afenifere, within the assertion, queried if the Yoruba weren’t included within the membership of NLC. It acknowledged that if ever Afenifere was to advise in opposition to a protest, it will be primarily based on stable coverage route and never shallow tribal sentiments to silence the pains, starvation and anger of the plenty.
The assertion stated, “These utilizing the incapacitated retired Afenifere chief, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasonranti’s title to tarnish the time examined and trusted Afenifere motto of ‘Freedom for all, Life extra Ample’ ought to know that not solely would the Afenifere by no means cease being people-oriented, that the Afenifere won’t additionally intrude with the peoples’ resolve to exercising their constitutional rights, of which the correct to protest is an integral a part of their elementary human rights.
“The Afenifere,, from her inception in 1951 so far and having in her fold a succession of seasoned economists, and following our indomitable perception system in Democratic Welfarism, will reasonably hesitate in vouching for Tinubu’s IMF’s inclined anti-people insurance policies, which have failed in nearly each nation the place such insurance policies have been applied.”
In the meantime, the federal authorities appealed to NLC to indicate understanding over efforts to deal with their calls for.
Minister of Info and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who made the decision after the FEC assembly, stated a lot of the calls for by labour had already been met, stating that there’s due to this fact no want for them to go on protest.
Idris stated authorities was baffled by the upcoming motion, saying nothing has been completed to truncate settlement with labour.
He stated, “Authorities has completed nothing to truncate the settlement. We attraction to labour to see purpose.”
He stated the problem of the Compressed Pure Fuel (CNG) buses was not what might be supplied instantly, because it was not one thing purchased off the shelf.
