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Planned Protest: Nigerians Are Angry With You, NLC Tells Tinubu
By Augustine Akhilomen
…Urges Him To Invite Leaders Of Planned Protests, Address Citizens’ Grievances
…Warns Against Use Of Force On Protesters
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised President Bola Tinubu to seek an audience with the leaders of the proposed planned protest in order to address the situation before it escalates beyond control.
NLC President Joe Ajaero gave this warning in a statement issued on Monday, where he said that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy.
The NLC chief said with inflation hitting 34.19 per cent coupled with the hike in food and electricity tariffs among others, there is a need for President Tinubu to address these challenges.
“As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances.
“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy. A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin is now seen as a luxury beckons for serious intervention by the government.
“The times require the government to ‘jaw-jaw’ and not ‘war war’ with Nigerians. The truth is that you cannot smack a child and at the same time ask the child not to cry. A stitch in time might still save nine”.
The August 1 to 10 protest has raised political tension with the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Mr Bayo Onanuga, accusing the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi of secret sponsorship.
Addressing Onanugu’s claims, Ajaero said, “The truth is that Nigerians have been hard pushed and super pressed right against the walls of deep deprivation and acute want.
“It is, therefore, condescending and dismissive to describe the daily brutish ordeal that Nigerians are going through as a sponsored political dissent. Even if it is so, it is still within the confines of citizens’ rights to protest on political grounds.
“Just that the current unease in the country does not need political motivation. All that the hurting citizens demand from their government is a listening ear and an empathetic heart.
“Maybe, that is what the organisers of the protest are looking for given their continued notices on different social media platforms.
“It is very difficult to tell a Nigerian who has lost his or her job due to the current economic downturn to maintain their cool.
“It is very tough to advise a nursing mother who is unsure where the next meal for her suckling child to be at ease. It is a herculean task to demand patience from a youth who has been out of school for the past six years without a job and is burdened with aged parents to cater for.
“During these very difficult times, the right of Nigerians to complain must be fully respected”.
Although absolving itself of any guilt of sponsoring the planned protest, the Congress said, “The Organised Labour movement led by the Nigeria Labour Congress has had cause in recent times to protest against the crushing suffering in the land brought about by the harsh economic policies of the government.
“It is the well-considered position of the Congress that bellicosity and hostility towards the protesters and other aggrieved Nigerians do not offer any tangible remedy either to the pain endured by the populace or the frustrations of having so little in a country where a few privileged persons are living in obscene luxury, especially at the expense of the majority. These are dire times. Nigerians are angry”.
Headline
OsunDecides2026: ‘Protect our votes, respect our mandate,’ Adeleke urges Tinubu, security operatives
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies deployed for the governorship election to protect the integrity of the electoral process as collation of results begins.
Adeleke made the appeal in a post on X on Saturday evening, expressing concern over alleged attempts to disrupt or hijack collation centres across the state.
Addressing Tinubu, the governor said, “It is imperative that you use your good office to issue a clear warning to the heads of security agencies deployed to protect the good people of Osun State and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.”
He said reports of alleged attempts to disrupt collation centres by politicians were “deeply concerning and unacceptable,” given the number of security personnel deployed for the election.
Adeleke urged the President to reiterate his commitment to ensuring that votes cast by Osun residents count and that the final outcome reflects their choice.
“I therefore implore you to reiterate the commitment made to the people of Osun State that their votes will count and that the outcome of this election will reflect their genuine choice,” he said.
The governor specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to adhere to the directive, while urging that the Independent National Electoral Commission receive the necessary support to complete the process.
“The Nigeria Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and other security agencies must strictly adhere to this directive, while INEC must be given every necessary support to conclude the process and deliver a credible and transparent outcome,” Adeleke said.
He added, “The people of Osun State have spoken with one voice, and their voices must be heard. Their votes must be protected, and their mandate must be respected.”
Adeleke also commended voters for turning out for the election and urged security agencies to remain vigilant as results move from polling units to wards and local government collation centres.
“Against all odds, the people of Osun State have turned out in large numbers and are speaking with one voice. The safety and protection of our people is paramount,” he said.
“I commend the security agencies deployed for this election and urge them to remain vigilant as we move into the collation of results; from polling units to wards to local government areas.”
The governor further called on INEC to maintain high standards throughout the collation process.
“I also call on INEC to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout this process,” he said.
Nigerian musician, David Adeleka, also known as Davido has asked President Bola Tinubu to call members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to order.
Davido made the call in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday as sorting and announcement of election results were ongoing.
His call stemmed from the allegation that ‘thugs’ of the Osun State Chapter of the APC stormed GOF junction, Osogbo the state capital to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 election results.
“Mr President, call your people to order. Osun APC thugs have invaded GOF junction, Osogbo to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 results.
“They have seen defeat and they are now trying to destroy ballot papers and boxes. Osogbo people will resist them.
“They want to start attacking everywhere. Osun people, mount your votes,” he tweeted.
The Accord Party has secured victory at the polling unit of former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the ongoing governorship election.
Results published on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Result Viewing Portal, IReV, showed that Accord polled 131 votes at Polling Unit 003, Ife Ward 1, Moore, St. Gabriel Primary School, Ife East Local Government Area.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, came second with 85 votes, while the African Democratic Congress, ADC, received 10 votes. Other political parties recorded only marginal votes.
The result adds to a series of early victories recorded by Accord in the election.
Earlier, the party also won at the polling unit of former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where it secured 125 votes.
At the same polling unit, APC garnered 85 votes, while ADC polled five votes.
INEC has continued to upload results to the IReV portal as collation progresses across the state.
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