The members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and some prominent Nigerians protested in Lagos and Abuja yesterday over the current hardship in the country and the anti-people policies of the present administration.
This is coming barely 48 hours of another protest in Lagos led by celebrities. The protest led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Kaigama Boboi, presidents of NLC and TUC respectively were received at the Aso Rock, Villa by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.
Wabba raised concerns on the absence of good governance, transparency, accountability’ and corruption” in the country. He questioned how some of the corruption suspects could divert huge amount of public funds to the tune of billions of naira. He said such people should be ‘named, shamed’ and have one of their arms amputated as a mark on those who stole to the tune of N1bn.
His TUC counterpart, Kaigama said the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically, saying that it was time for governments at all tiers to go back to the drawing board to revive the country’s economy.
The labour leaders submitted 18-point demand to the government. The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo told them of the efforts being made by the government to tackle corruption and revamp the economy.
The protest also went to the National Assembly Complex where they are received by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Saraki, in his adress, stated that it was time for action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians. He said, “It can’t continue this way. The exchange rate is high; prices of things in the market have gone high but only the workers’ salaries remain the same.
In Lagos, placard-carrying workers marched from Yaba, to Ikorodu Road, ending up at Governor’s Office, Alausa chanting solidarity songs.
