Electricity/Fuel Hike: Oyo Labour Unions Mobilise Ahead Of Monday Protest

Labour unions in Oyo State have begun to mobilise the masses ahead of the planned Monday strike and protest to force the Federal Government to reverse some of the policies they describe as oppressive.

Various trade unions gathered at a workshop held in Ibadan on Wednesday and resolved that they must redeem their image by providing leadership to the people in the struggle to enthrone good governance.

A human rights activist, Dr Femi Aborisade, who is also the Vice Chairman, Oyo State chapter of Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond said the strike would be a total one.

He called on all union leaders to begin sensitisation of the masses ahead of Monday action, saying the President, General Muhammadu Buhari, must resign if he cannot meet the demands of the people on good governance. 

Aborisade said, ” It will be daily mass protest and all of us must produce materials that will be distributed to the masses.  If this regime is incapable of meeting our demands , he  ( Buhari) should resign.”

The National Coordinator of All Workers Convergence, Andrew Emelieze, said Nigerians had been pushed to the wall and said they were ready to resist the alleged oppressive policies vehemently this time . 

He said, “If they ( Federal Government) wake up on Sunday and announce a reduction of N10 or so  in pump price, we in ASCAB are saying there is no retreat no surrender. The strike and the protest will continue because the planned action is not about increase in petrol pump price and  electricity tarriff alone, the action is against  bad governance.”

The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Kayode Martins, also said the planned strike and protest would go ahead because the government had pushed Nigerian to the point where they would react. 

The NLC chairman said, “Don’t let them intimidate you, we won’t let you down. I want everybody to leave this place to go out there and encourage others to be part of the protest. Our mumu don do.”

The Vice Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Oyo State, Gbenga Olowolafe said the masses also have a role to play, saying they should come out and join the struggle to liberate the country from.bad leadership.

A Professor of Micro-Biology formerly at the Kola Daisi University, Adenike Ogunshe, said most Nigerians has lost hope in labour leaders  because they had been let down on many occasions. 

She, however, said labour leaders should use this opportunity to redeem their image and be ready to be counted in the struggle for good governance in the nation.

A lecturer  at the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan,  Prof Kola Babarinde, who is also the Secretary of Socialists Congress of Nigeria said Nigerians must stand up against bad governance. 

The Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Dr Samuel Adeyemi, also said labour unions must provide effective leadership while urging the masses to also join the movement.