Government and commercial activities ground to a halt in Minna, the capital of Niger state, as organized labor, in compliance with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters’ directives, led a peaceful protest to express their dissatisfaction with the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and other affiliate unions came together at the labor house along IBB road in Minna at the early hours of 7:00 am. With over 200 placards bearing various inscriptions, the protesters marched through the busy Minna-Tunga-Chanchaga road until they reached the state House of Assembly.
Led by the state chairman of the NLC, Idris Abdulkareem Lafene, and the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, the protesters voiced their concerns and demands through their placards, condemning the role of private companies in determining fuel prices, expressing disapproval of meager palliatives to households, and advocating for affordable education among other issues.
Upon arrival at the state house of assembly complex, the protesters were received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Mohammed Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, who commended them for their peaceful conduct. He acknowledged that the legislature shares the concerns of the people impacted by the fuel subsidy removal and highlighted the motions passed by the house, urging the state government to consider increasing civil servants’ salaries and providing other palliatives.
While recognizing the necessity of fuel subsidy removal to address fraud in the sector, the Speaker also stressed the importance of implementing measures to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens. He assured the protesters that their demands, as outlined in a letter presented by the NLC chairman for onward transmission to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities.