Tuesday’s peaceful protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates in Osun State against the current economic hardship in the country, paralysed business activities for some hours in Osogbo, the state capital.
Protesters led by the Osun NLC chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, began their march from Freedom Park, Osogbo, moving through MDS road and chanting anti-President Bola Tinubu songs.
Affiliates of NLC that took in the protest include; the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.
The protest caused gridlock along Osogbo/Gbongan road, as the protesters moved towards Olaiya Junction, where they eventually converged.
The protest also paralysed business around the area for about two hours, as the protesters converged under Olaiya Bridge.
Large number of security agents, including policemen, operatives of the Department of State Security and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps monitored situation at the scene of the protest.
ASUU Coordinator for Akure Zone, Dr. Adeola Egbedokun, who addressed the protesters, expressed regrets at the hardship Nigerians are going through, urging the Federal Government to reverse its policies that have impacted negatively on the people.
Egbedokun said many people felt unconcerned and refused to join the protest because they did not have a deep understanding of the negative effects of Federal Government policies on them.
He called on the workers to sensitise other members of the public on the need for them to join protests against the rising cost of living.
In his remarks, Osun NLC Chairman, Arapasopo, called on the Federal Government to immediately find solutions to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
He said, “What Tinubu promised during his electioneering campaign was a reprieve for Nigerians but what we are seeing now is the opposite of that.
“He must immediately come up with solutions. People are hungry and they are angry. We don’t want the situation to go out of hand. There is a need for measures that will immediately address the situation.”