The Nigeria Labour Congress successfully pulled its members out and joined by other aggrieved citizens protested high cost of living, insecurity and general economic hardship in the country. A last-minute meeting called by the Federal Government Monday night to avert the proposed nationwide protest had ended in a deadlock.

The protest at the Federal Capital Territory started from the Labour House Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja at 9:36 am the crowd grew as the watch tickled and soon it became a massive crod.

Apart from labour unions, friends of the organised labour and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also joined in the protest. They included the Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress(AAC) Mr. Omoyele Sowore and the former Nigeria Country Director, ActionAid, Ms.Ene Obi among others.

Some of the Unions seen during the protest include the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the FCT Council, Construction Workers’ Union, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers among others.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as “#End Poverty and Hunger. Support Local Industries#,” “Fix Local Refineries End Subsidy#;” “#End Naira Devaluation; Tax the Rich Subsidise the poor#” to express their grievances over the current economic hardship across the country.

Addressing journalists before the protest started, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero said: “The government said we should not do rally. They used peaceful means and threats but we are in God’s hands. “We are here for a rally so that Mr President will know how Nigerians feel and know where it is pinching us.”

The protesters later stormed the National Assembly where they submitted a copy of reasons for the protest. At the Federal Secretariat,Central Business District, some workers were seen going about their normal duties.

Courts within the Federal Capital Territory also sat to hear cases. In the few instances where the courts did not sit, the judges or magistrates were said to be having a workshop at the National Judicial Institute ( NJI), Abuja.

Early on Tuesday, few vehicles were noticed at the Central Business District (CBD) over fears that the protest may turn violent, but the protest went peacefully.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had on February 8 this year,issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the government over the failure to implement the agreements reached on 2 October 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its promises after the 14-day ultimatum by Labour triggered the two-day nationwide protest slated for February 27 and 28 over the cost of living crisis in the country.

The TUC said it was not part of the planned protests declared by the NLC, noting that the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

Kwara and Kaduna States

Workers , particularly civil servants in Kwara and Kaduna States stormed the streets of Ilorin and along Independent Way in Kaduna respectively on Tuesday to condemn the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

The workers in their hundreds were seen carrying placards and banners with different inscriptions while chanting protest songs on Tuesday.

The protesters said threats by the government can not deter them from registering their displeasure over the poor economic situation in the country.

Kano State

There was low turnout of protesters in Kano State as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the protest which was slated to begin by 8 :00am did not kick off as at 9:30 am .

The state Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa was not seen at Race Course ground, venue of the protest.