FG'S LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO STOP LABOUR FAILS AS AJAERO INSISTS NATIONWIDE RALLY HOLDS TODAY

Delta CP Orders Vast Police Deployment

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Abaniwonda Olufemi, ordered massive deployment of personnel across the state to ensure security and safety during the protest. Olufemi said this was to ensure that the protest was not hijacked.

He said the measure was taken in line with the directive of the IGP.

The measures were contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, DSP Bright Edafe. It warned all intending protesters that “anyone found wanting will be immediately arrested and prosecuted”. Plateau NLC to Join Protest, Says Chair

Plateau State chapter of NLC disclosed that it has concluded arrangements to join the national secretariat and other state councils to peacefully protest against the prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria.

Plateau State NLC Chairman, Mr. Eugene Manji, reassured that his chapter would participate in the protest. Manji said the decision at the State Executive Council meeting was for the chapters to join the protest, and arrangement had been put in place to make it a peaceful exercise.

Manji said all NLC affiliates had been briefed and urged to fully mobilise their members for the protest slated for today and Wednesday.

The state NLC chairman said, “We have just completed the meeting for the final mobilisation. As I speak to you, we are still at the venue of the meeting, and we are going ahead with the protest tomorrow.

“We are urging all affiliates to come out in their numbers to participate in the protest in support of the workers and suffering masses." Police, DSS Invite Niger Labour Leaders

The police and the Department of State Services (DSS), yesterday, invited the leadership of the organised labour in Niger State for talks over the protests planned for today and tomorrow.

THISDAY learnt that the meetings with the security chiefs were held separately at the police and DSS offices.

The meeting at the police headquarters, presided the Commissioner of Police, Mr Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, emphasised the need for the protest to be peaceful and orderly.

However, the one with the DSS was a little heated, as the operatives warned against the strike taking place because the organisers would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

The police according to a source close to the meeting, promised to provide adequate security to the protesters.

Chairman of the NLC in Niger State, Comrade Idris Lafene, confirmed that the meeting took place, in a telephone interview with THISDAY.

Lafene said, "We are just coming from the meeting with the police and the DSS, the police promised to give us protection during the protest.

"We are going ahead with the protest, everything is set."

Lafene declared that the protest would commence at the Labour House to the State House of Assembly and back. Afenifere Opposes Curtailing Yorubas Right to Protest against Tinubu's IMF Policies

Afenifere distanced itself from the call by some of its leaders that the Yoruba should not join the NLC and other protests concerning the state of the nation.

In a statement by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, the organisation stated that Afenifere had always supported the right to protest in a democracy, from the beginning when Awolowo protested against the colonial constitutions of 1946 and 1949 that did not allow for full federalism.

The statement read in part, “Afenifere considers the undemocratic statement by the renegade ex-members as ill-informed, as the President Tinubu whom they are trying so desperately protect, was at many times an active protester against President Jonathan on issues, such as subsidy removal, Boko Haram terror, and on the abduction of the Chibok girls.

“The renegades in their desperate bid to please President Tinubu conveniently forgot that Citizen Tinubu at that time took to the streets to protest and at a time even advised President Jonathan to resign if he found governance beyond his capacity.

“Many would recall that Chief Obafemi Awolowo warned Yoruba states and newspapers, like Tribune and Sketch, under his influence never to stifle voices of dissent, but embrace voices of opposition, therein, as he posited, the methodology of balancing all views toward a positive solution-based effort can only be achieved.”

Afenifere, in the statement, queried if the Yoruba were not included in the membership of NLC. It stated that if ever Afenifere was to advise against a protest, it would be based on solid policy direction and not shallow tribal sentiments to silence the pains, hunger and anger of the masses.

The statement said, “Those using the incapacitated retired Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasonranti's name to tarnish the time tested and trusted Afenifere motto of ‘Freedom for all, Life more Abundant' should know that not only would the Afenifere never stop being peopleoriented, that the Afenifere will not also interfere with the peoples' resolve to exercising their constitutional rights, of which the right to protest is an integral part of their fundamental human rights.