By Akinwale Kasali
Against all odds, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has gone ahead to begin its two-day nationwide protest over the economic hardship the citizens are experiencing.
The NLC and the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government had met Monday in a late push to stop the protests, but the meeting ended with no agreement reached between the parties, prompting the NLC to go ahead with the proposed protest.
As early as 7:00 am, protesters started gathering in different parts of the country, carrying placards with different inscriptions wearing paraphernalia of the NLC.
In Lagos State, there is heavy presence of security personnel curtailing the peaceful protest not to go rowdy or hijacked by miscreants, as the People expressed their frustrations at the current nationwide hardship.
At Ikeja Under Bridge where members of the NLC and Nigerians who joined the protest including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) among others, who adorned their various paraphernalia are ready to hold the rally moving from the convergence point in Ikeja to the State House of Assembly in Alausa.
The presence of Police personnel, manning every major junction along the three kilometres planned route was sighted, following the Force’s promise to ensure peace and order during the protests.
Surprisingly, the Police were seen distributing Biscuit and Water to all the Protesters, which led to a resounding applause from the Protesters who hailed the Police for such kind gesture.
Unconfirmed sources within the Police said that the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Fayoade Adegoke, provided the Biscuits and Water for the protesters as part of the Lagos State Police Command gesture In cushioning the effect of the economic hardship the citizens are facing.
Details Later….
