Proposed strike: Coalition urges NLC, TUC for understanding, patience

The call to jettison the strike came, on Tuesday, August 2, at a well-attended press conference at the Lagos Airport Hotel addressed by the leaders of the Coalition where they argued that though things are tough in the country, the NLC and TUC should consider the dire consequences of going on strike on the nation warning that strike might be hijacked by aggrieved Nigerians, who have been benefiting from fuel subsidy, and thereby lead to loss of lives and property.

Addressing the town hall meeting convened by Rasaq Olokoba of the Campaign for Dignity in Governance, the CSOs said the removal of fuel Subsidy was in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, and the money saved would be used to take care of many amenities, which will lead Nigeria to be a better country warning against the situation whereby the protest would be hijacked like EndSARS protest.

They noted that, the federal government and Lagos State government had already initiated palliatives measures to cushion the effect of removal oil Subsidy, just as they urged other state governments and local governments to follow suit. They also promised to volunteer to assist the government in the distribution of the palliatives to ensure they get to the vulnerable members of the society.

Reading the communique of the meeting Comrade Nelson Ekujumi,said that the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary and inevitable to save the Nigerian state from economic comatose.

According to the communique,”The humongous funds $30 billion dollars being expended on fuel subsidy amounts to a rip off of the Nigerian people.

That the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should be commended for the bold economic decision of removing fuel subsidy in the collective interest of the Nigerian people in the long run.

“It’s a fact that Nigerians are going through economic hardship as a result of this policy, but they must show understanding with the mindset  that the pains they are presently going through, is the temporary sacrifice that they have to make for a better future.

“We acknowledge that in less than two months after the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigeria has started reaping the gains in terms of savings of about one trillion naira to the national coffers which could have been frittered away.the palliatives put in place to soothe the temporary pains being experienced as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy must be monitored by civil society organizations to enhance transparency and accountability.

 “We call for patience and understanding from Nigerians to be patient and persevere, our leaders at all levels of government must also cut down on the cost of governance.”

The  CSO’s noted that Nigerians suufered to enthrone democracy and will do everything to resist any attempt to undermine this democracy through any undemocratic means using the instrumentality of the rule of law as expressed in the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and rallies by citizens.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Olokoba said it is a fact that the economic inconveniences occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy are real and it permeates all strata of the society without let or hindrance.

It is also a fact that the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government though painful and inevitable, has also resulted in some economic gains to the country, the benefits of which will become manifest soon.

He stated that as the organized labour gears up to embark on a nationwide rally over the economic situation of the country from tomorrow 2nd of August, if they eventually go ahead with it, as democrats who recognize that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, we urge them to ensure that the rally remains peaceful and is not allowed it to degenerate into an avenue for the destruction of private and public properties.

“To our long suffering people, we share in your pains because we are also involved, therefore we implore you to persevere and not allow yourselves to be used as canon fodder for political capital by agents of mischief and anti-democratic elements masquerading as public-spirited interest of which they are not and will never be.

“As we plead for your patience and understanding over the economic pains and inconvenience that we are all going through temporarily, we are of the strong belief, that there is light at the end of tunnel as we will not fail or falter in our social responsibility of societal watch dog to hold government at all levels accountable to their promises, this is a commitment we solemnly make to you,” Olokoba assured.

Present at the meeting were Nelson Ekujumi representing the Centre for Social and Economic Rights; Titi Akosa, Centre for 21st Century Issues; Linus Okoroji of Humanity Services Project; Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi  of Yoruba Citizen Action for Change,Hamed Balogun of Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre; Jubril Ogundimu of Oodua Revolutionary Front.

Others were Gbenga Soloki of Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence; Razaq Oladosu of Grassroots Democratic Initiative; Alex Omotehinse    of   Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights;

Awakulu Galadima of Northern Integrity Forum; Ramat Abdulrazak, representing Women Grassroot Network; HRM Sola Olatunde of Oodua Youth Movement and others.