Protest: Makinde Begs Nigerians over Hardship

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde has pleaded with Nigerians to endure the current hardship, saying it will soon end.

Makinde made the appeal while addressing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders and other protesters at the Total Garden Roundabout in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Congress news Nigeria reports that NLC declared two-day peaceful protest over the hardship suffering by Nigerians.

The leadership of the NLC at first restricted the governor from addressing the protesters, claimed that he is among the nation’s leaders causing the hardship.

The Governor maintained that the NLC should make their demands to his administration, key areas where they would want the government to assist in ameliorating the hardship suffered by the masses.

He said that his administration had been living up to as its expected regards the welfare of its workforce.

“He also mentioned that, his government has started paying N25,000 and N15,000 wage awards to all state civil servants and pensioners, respectively, since October,” he said.

The governor assured the people that his government remained committed to carry out programmes that would cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

He pleaded that NLC should let the protest remain peaceful.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun Chapter also joined their counterparts across the country to protest against the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

The protesters assembled at the NLC Secretariat, Leme, Abeokuta, and moved through the NNPC junction, MKO Stadium, to Kuto Roundabout.

The protesters carried placards with the inscriptions “Let the poor breathe,” “End hunger and poverty,” “Reject IMF/World Bank policies,” “Stop importation of petrol,” and Fix refineries now,” among others.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Hammed Ademola-Benco, NLC Chairman, Ogun chapter, said the purpose of the protest is getting good deals for Nigerians

Ademola-Benco said that the current economic problem in the country had really affected the psychology of the people.

“The protest is about getting good deals for the people of the country.

“The truth is that people are suffering; many Nigerians are hungry, and the prices of food have spike above the roof.

“The wage rate that they promised is still not being paid by many states.

“We are only appealing to the government to be responsible, and attend to our demands, which is about making lives more rewarding and enjoyable for the people,” he said.

The NLC chairman stated that the industrial action was successful, as leadership of the 40 affiliates of the union in the state were on ground to participate in the protest.

However, the National Vice President, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yinka Folarin, pleaded that President Bola Tinubu should live up to expectations.