Ahead of the Labour congress protest against the hardships in the country, Nigerians in Kano state have started the prelude to the protest.
The protesters in Kano State are protesting over the hike of petrol price from N195 to N617, naira devaluation, school fees increment and other anti-poor policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.
The Joint Action Front (JAF), alongside the Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), and Coalition for Revolution (CORE), had declared their total support for the August 2 Nigeria Labour Congress nationwide action.
The civic organizations, represented by Femi Falana (ASCAB), Baba Ayelabola (CORE), and Achike Chude (JAF), jointly declared their intention to participate in the protest. The declaration was made after a meeting on Sunday and was made available to SaharaReporters on Monday.
The statement reads in part “August 2nd, 2023 as the beginning of nationwide resistance against fuel price hike and anti-poor policies is sacrosanct,” the civic organisations had said that the minimum aim of the forthcoming struggle is the reversal of the “criminal hike of petrol from N617 to N195, reversal of other criminal policies like fee hike in public tertiary institutions, devaluation of the naira” which they noted had made life unbearable on Nigerian masses.
“We support the decision of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to call Nigerian workers and poor masses out on protest starting from Wednesday, August 2, 2023, against the wicked and neoliberal policies of the President Tinubu government, including, the severe hike in the price of petrol and devaluation of the naira.”
The organisations tasked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), with unity in their engagement with the Federal Government and encourage them to jointly mobilise for mass action.
Meanwhile , Kayode Egbetokun, acting inspector-general of police (IGP), says the force will not tolerate violent protests during Wednesday’s rallies by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
In a statement on Tuesday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Egbetokun had directed state commissioners of police to discuss with the leadership of organised labour “to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests”.
“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been emplaced,” the statement reads.
“However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with firm, professional and commensurate lawful approach.
“The police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country.
“In light of the potential challenges posed by the planned protests, the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of our citizens.
“The IGP therefore calls on all officers to be vigilant, professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.
“The police boss urges all stakeholders, including the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances, while also re-emphasising that the police is committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement and mutual understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights.”
