After the first day of the well-publicised two-day protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), aimed at expressing displeasure with the federal government reform policies that have created the current economic problems for Nigerians, Labour said the protest has been suspended, because its objectives have been achieved.
The 2-day nationwide protest was scheduled to enter its second day today, February 28.
Shop owners took caution and closed down for fear of being attacked by hoodlums who might hijack the protest. Shoprite branches in Abuja were closed down also. But transportation was not halted as commuters did not find it difficult to get to their destinations.
Africa Health Report correspondent observed that the protest was peaceful in Abuja, but economic activities worked skeletally. Heavily armed anti-riot policemen, soldiers, personnel of NCDC and other security agencies were seen moving from the National Assembly to Unity Fountain in the central Area of Abuja.
Labour, in a communique at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, on Monday night said the objectives of the protest were achieved on the first day of the demonstration.
The communique stressed, “street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained 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-days 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 agreement 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 14days Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.”
A part of the communique read: “Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved as follows: to suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.”
Africa Health Report earlier, reported that the Presidency had engaged labour leaders in a last-minute talks on Monday night but the meeting ended in a stalemate as the NLC insisted that the protest was going to hold as planned.
Subsequently, the NLC grounded economic activities in parts of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory as well as across the country on Tuesday. President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, was quoted as saying that the protest was about hunger and not just a clamour for a review of the minimum wage.
He said, “You have to understand it. This protest is about hunger. What of those who are not working? The minimum wage, when will it be completed? When will it be implemented? What will be the minimum wage that will remove hunger?”.
Nigeria is battling rising inflation, food inflation, forex crisis, economic hardship and high cost of living occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy, attracting protests in parts of the country.
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