Members of organised labour demanded to meet with Adams
Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo state, after forcing their way into the
national assembly complex on Wednesday.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had announced the
commencement of nationwide protests today, following President Bola Tinubu’s
decision to pull the plug on the petrol subsidy regime.
The president’s pronouncement during his inaugural speech on
May 29, immediately resulted in a hike in the pump price of petrol, galloping
inflation and economic hardship.
Dialogue sessions between government representatives and
NLC, aimed at forestalling the protests and an impending strike, have yielded
very little.
On Wednesday, protesters in Abuja took down the gate leading
into the national assembly complex, while chanting solidarity songs and
slogans.
Once inside the complex, Ali Ndume, chief whip of the
senate; Ireti Kingibe who represents the FCT in the senate; and Tony Nwoye who
represents Anambra north, among others, stood on the railings of the complex to
address the irate crowd and calm frayed nerves.
However, the protesters demanded for Oshiomhole, a former
labour leader and senator representing Edo north in the upper legislative
chamber.
“Where is Oshiomhole?….where is Oshiomhole?” some in the
crowd thundered repeatedly as Ndume made to speak.
Oshiomhole was NLC president from 1999 to 2007.
He was visibly vocal in the proverbial trenches and led
several protests against the federal government during his spell as labour
leader.
The lawmakers were preparing to resume the screening of some
of the president’s ministerial nominees when the protesters stormed the
complex.
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