Hunger, hardship planned: PBAT, showcase your past, future efforts by monthly nationwide broadcast, Sessi

By allcitynews.ng

With five days to the planned protest against hunger and hardship across the country, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State Council has again pledged against involvement of workers in Lagos State in the protest.

Just as the union threatened against anyone that intend to use the protest as means of destruction of public property to be ready for resistance from the union in the state.

Even as the union called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to start monthly nationwide broadcast to make the people know of his plans and help to eradicate misinformation about the regime which have been taking place from dearth of adequate communication.

“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has listening ears and he is ready to adjust by addressing the needs of the people, coming up with monthly nationwide broadcast will give the people hope and give them assurance that he is taking good steps. But being kept in the dark, many people are not aware of the progress his regime has made so far in meeting the needs of the country.”

The Chairman of NLC Lagos State Council, Comrade Funmi Sessi who made the threat while briefing Labour Writers Association at Ikeja in Lagos on Friday warned against any person that will try to kick-start the protest from Lagos to desist from such plan as the is damages of #EndSar protest are still fresh in minds.

“Our plan here in Lagos is inline with our national body that absolved NLC from such protest. We are not against protest as everyone has right to express self, but we are against destructive protest whereby public property will be destroyed. With the voice we are hearing even though we are yet to know the originators of the planned protest, telling people to go violent and telling the would-be protesters to start with Lagos State, we will deal decisively with such voice when time comes since they want to use Lagos as their starting point.”

Moreover, the chairperson stressed that ‘”the tone of the voice we are hearing shows they want destructive protest, we will resist destructive protest in Lagos.

“We recognise the hardship Nigerians are going through, we are all experiencing the same hardship. But we in Lagos State will not allow violence and destructive protest. Precautionary measure should be taken by parents. They should caution their children from being used for such protest.”

It is true that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is known as main organiser of protests. But the protests organised by the union are always characterised with peace, for example the just concluded protest match over National Minimum Wage took place without violence.

But as this planned protest which is sponsored by hunger, high cost of governance with the political class living like people from another world at the detriment of the hunger, hardship by the general masses, NLC, Lagos State Council is appealing for calmness and avoid destructive protest.

Moreover, the chairman, Comrade Sessi reminded everyone that destructive protest is not doing anyone good because it use to bring setbacks like the one of #EndSAR which left indelible scars on both individuals, corporate bodies and on Lagos State Government which lost lives and public property were destroyed.

In Ekiti State, all DPOS are to man their areas

In a related development, the police in Ekiti State has started mobilisation against any destructive protest. The personnel has started combing nooks and crannies to fish out condemned tyres from vulcanisers across the state which could be ready tools in the hands of protesters.

The police wireless message, which has been widely circulated on social media, and addressed to Divisional Police Officers and various units, warns that any DPO whose area experiences burn fires during the protests will face sanctions.

The notice, titled ‘Order and directives re: Nationwide protest against bad government in Nigeria,’ read, “In view of Inspector General of Police Conference/briefing with Assistant Inspector General of Police zones and Commissioners of Police in all the states on the above subject, Commissioner of Police directs you go out in the midnight, raid vulcanizer shops in AOR yours and seize all un-used tyres and dispose them off to prevent protesters from using same to set burn fire on the highway.

“Any DPO in whose AOR burn fire occurs will be sanctioned accordingly. All to ensure strict compliance please,” he added.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, said that “The directive became necessary due to an intelligence report received that some miscreants are planning to disturb the peace and movements of innocent citizens in the coming days using available and unused tyres on the street.”

He added that, “Peaceful protest is part of the rights of all citizens, but protest characterized by threats, bloodshed and destructions of properties and lives of innocent citizens is unacceptable.”

The Presidency, police and military have warned against the protest, citing the need for the nation to heal from the #EndSARS protest.”

So far, here is a list of those who are against, or supporting the planned protest:

THOSE AGAINST PROTEST

Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education, Ibrahim Waiya

Controversial singer Portable

Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)

Enugu Innovative Youths

Orji Kalu

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly

Kebbi State Government

Lagos State House of Assembly

SDP’s Adewole Adebayo

Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum

Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU)

Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG)

Arewa Youth Assembly

South-East Governors’ Forum

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

Femi Fani-Kayode

Lagos Council Chairmen

Members of the House of Representatives agreed to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for a period of six months.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna state

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nwosu

National Council of Traditional Rulers

Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi

National Association of Nigerian Students in Lagos Chapter

Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria

Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)

Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion

Actor Lege Miami

Door-to-door Youth and Women Initiative for Good Governance

Reno Omokri

Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Kaduna State chapter

Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian-Export Import Bank (NEXIM) , Hon Stella Okotete

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

170 members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of the “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly”

Jama’atu Nasril Islam

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II

SUPPORTING THE PROTEST:

Atiku Abubakar

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party led by National Chairman, Shehu Gabam

All Workers Convergence (AWC) led by Comrade Andrew Emelieze

Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere

Lagos State Chapter of the Active Citizens Group Nigeria led by the group’s state coordinator, Adamma Ukpabi

Omoyele Sowore

Amnesty International

UNDECIDED

National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) directed its 104 affiliate organizations to remain on standby.

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