Following persistent hardship across the country, the organised labour yesterday, issued the Federal Government 14 days ultimatum to honour its part of the October 2, 2023 agreement reached with labour to address the ‘massive suffering’ caused by the hike in petrol prices and naira devaluation.
The ultimatum, which starts counting from today, was conveyed in a joint statement signed by president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) chairman, Festus Osifo, yesterday.
The duo warned that everything must be done within two weeks to avoid a situation where labour might be compelled to take appropriate steps to protect Nigerian workers and masses, which will herald a nationwide protest slated to begin on Friday, February 23.
This is besides the two weeks ultimatum given by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) earlier this week for the government to address the galloping inflation making food prices out of the reach of citizens or there will be mass demonstrations across the country.
Labour maintained that government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain was regrettable and unacceptable to the working people and the citizenry. They alleged that the widespread hunger is now ravishing millions of Nigerians, with workers’ purchasing power significantly eroded, while insecurity has assumed an increasing dimension.
According to them, Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring. They therefore called on the Federal Government to honour its commitments without delay, stating that the time for empty promises and excuses had passed.
Meanwhile, Kano residents on Thursday evening took to the streets in protest against the high cost of food items and other essential commodities. They staged the protest around Kurna, Rigiyar Lemu and Bachirawa areas along the popular Katsina Road, lamenting that the economic situation was getting worse daily.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Usman Bello, a resident of Rijiyan Lemo, said the harsh economic situation has caused untold hardship to the masses in the state.
The protesters who thronged the streets along Katsina Road expressed their grievances in Hausa language. According to him, they had been pushed to the wall, hence the need for them to come out despite the hazy weather.
This is just as the apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’at Nasir Islam (JNI), headed by Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday called on the Federal Government to immediately release all those arrested in Niger State following Monday’s protest against the current inflation and hardship in the country.
The Sultan also warned the government not to worsen the present situation in Nigeria through arrest of citizens who are venting their anger against the current hardship and inflation, saying that such action could further provoke more protests.
