The Organised Labour, which was engaged in a protest against what they deemed “anti-people” policies, forcefully entered the premises of the Assembly complex on Wednesday after breaking down the first gate.
Following their entry, the protesters moved towards the second gate of the assembly complex.
The protest, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and affiliated unions, commenced in the early hours of Wednesday in the capital city, Abuja, and extended to several states across the nation, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
Earlier, the protesters gathered at the Unity Fountain before marching towards the National Assembly (NASS) complex to voice their grievances.
Notably, some officials from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were present at the Unity Fountain during the demonstration. Security measures were in place, with a substantial presence of officers from the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told Channels Television at the venue that there is “nothing stopping the protest, not even an overture from the government”.
He said that the Organised Labour won’t shelve the protest until there is a response from the government.
Ajaero said the response from the states will determine “whether the protest will be from today, or tomorrow or next or till thy kingdom come, it is not by using force”.
“We are here for the protest and to make a statement that since we started negotiation, that there is nothing we have in our hands.”
Last week, the NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and demanded “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.
