Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The organised labour, civil society organisations as well as private individuals made good their promise to carry out the much talked about protest in Kwara State, on Wednesday, against the federal government’s removal of subsidy on petrol in Kwara State.
The protest, however, was peaceful as against the beliefs that it might be unruly and highjacked by hoodlums like it used to be in the past.
The procession of these protesters were well co-ordinated by both the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade JosephTunde.
The protesters were demanding among others, the immediate refurbishment of the NNPC refineries, reversal of the soaring cut-throat petrol prices, control measures mechanism of commodities which the removal of petrol subsidy had forced on the innocent citizens.
They were seen carrying banners wuth inscriptions; “Repair our refineries and build additional ones”, “No To Industrial Neo-liberal Slavery”, “Masses Welfare Is Sacrosanct” and “Release Right Months Withheld Salaries Of University Lecturers And Workers” among others.
Their processions took off from the state NLC Secretariat by the State High Court Complex along Lajorin Road, GRA, Ilorin and made intermittent stopovers at the Governor’s Office Complex, the Government House and then directly at the office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi who addressed them pleading that they should register their grievances in the most peaceful manner.
READ ALSO: http://CUPP says ‘No’ to military intervention in Niger Republic
The State Police Commissioner, CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi had earlier pleaded with the Labour leaders to carry out their protests in the most orderly manners at the NLC Secretariat warning that they should guide against hoodlums hijacking their peaceful action.
Not only that, the Police Commissioner also personally led officers in the Command supervise the processions particularly along Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA in the State capital.
The Police Chief had earlier on Tuesday accompanied by the heads of other security agencies held a meeting with Labour leaders, industrial and students unions in the state where she pleaded that the scheduled protests be attenfed with utmost orderliness the on Wednesday.
