The Federal Government has called for calm on the proposed nationwide protest, saying it had created centers across the country where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for ₦40,000.
This was revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris while briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja on Monday.
According to Idris, the initiative was part of initiatives by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.
He argued that there was no longer a need for the nationwide protests since the president was already attending to the needs of the protest organizers.
“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again.
“Most of the things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.
“The President has listened to the voices of all planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the government to do,” said Idris.
He enumerated the recent efforts by the FG which distributed 740 trucks of grains to states, announcing that 50kg bags of rice can now be obtained for N40,000 at designated centers nationwide.
Idris said, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to each state governor for onward distribution to those who actually needed them, to the poorest of the poor in society.
“But the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This rice has been taken to various centers across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centers have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states; indeed, this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.”
He said the FG expects the price of food items to reduce since “the rainy season is here.”
“We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made in traditional agricultural production and irrigation activities in many of these states in the federation,” Idris added.
The minister cited the student loan scheme and the expected disbursement of CNG kits as part of efforts to ease the cost of living.
However, he blamed unavoidable logistical impediments for the delay in the rollout of the CNG buses.
“Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already beginning to get active.
“The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the market and get these things off the shelves.
“First, the procurement processes have to be followed. And then, of course, you have to place an order for them. It is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost that people put into transportation,” he explained.
Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator, has claimed responsibility for the killing of four police operatives in Owerri, Imo State, south-east Nigeria.
The killing
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that gunmen attacked and killed four police operatives along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
Aside from the operatives, the hoodlums also shot dead a woman – a Point on Sale (PoS) machine operator – in the area. Mr Ekpa, a Nigerian who is based in Finland, heads Autopilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Biafra agitator also founded Biafra Defence Forces and Biafra Liberation Army, which are armed militant wings of the Autopilot IPOB.
He has been linked to some deadly attacks in the region.
Ekpa claims responsibility
In a post on his X handle shortly after the attack, Mr Ekpa announced that members of his Biafra Defense Forces had killed the operatives in Owerri.
“The Biafra Defense Forces Owerri Command has recovered weapons from the terrorists after neutralizing them in numbers,” he wrote on the microblogging platform at exactly 8:50 p.m. on Monday.
Mr Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, often refers to Nigerian security operatives as “terrorists.”
The Biafra agitator said he and his group are demanding the withdrawal of all Nigerian security forces from the South-east and that they were committed to enforcing the demand.
“If you think you will continue to use force and terrorism tactics to force us to remain in the union, this will continue to be your faith in Biafraland,” Mr Ekpa stated, referring to the latest attack on the police.
Although the word “faith” was used by the source, it is grammatically wrong and should, therefore, be changed to “fate.”
The Biafra agitator often shares on his X handle details of attacks in Nigeria’s south-east.
Like IPOB, which Nnamdi Kanu leads, Mr Ekpa is seeking the secession of the south-east and some parts of the south-south from Nigeria to form an independent state known as Biafra.
The agitators often refer to the South-east and South-south regions as “Biafraland.”
Video clip
Mr Ekpa also attached a video clip to the X post.
The clip showed four rifles and some police case files displayed by some persons who claimed to have attacked and killed the operatives.
The clip, however, did not show the faces of the persons speaking in the background.
“Papa, it wasn’t easy. You know today is the beginning of sit-at-home (in the South-east). People were asked to sit at home, and these people (police operatives) came out to extort people,” one person said in the Igbo language.
“These are Nigerian terrorists who were at their duty post despite our leader’s sit-at-home order. But they felt they work for the government and would not obey the order,” he stated.
“They have now seen it happen today in Owerri, which is 29 July 2024.”
The armed men appeared to be making a report of their operation to Mr Ekpa, who had earlier declared a four-day sit-at-home in the South-east.
Apparently addressing security operatives, one of the armed men added: “Our leader earlier told you, people, that any police or army operative in Biafraland, it is better you resign or we will use your head to work.”
Connecting the dots
Mr Ekpa, on 21 July, declared a four-day sit-at-home across the five states in the South-east.
The Finland-based Nigerian, in a statement posted on his X handle, said the illegal order would be enforced in the region from 29 July to 2 August, excluding 1 August.
Several persons and the Nigerian government have called for Mr Ekpa’s repatriation to Nigeria to face charges over his role in the insecurity in the South-east.
For instance, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on 21 July, asked some members of the House of Representatives to consider repatriating Mr Ekpa to Nigeria to face prosecution.
The Chief of Defiance Staff, Christopher Musa, last June, accused the Finnish government and the European Union of blocking the repatriation of the Biafra agitator.
Last year, the Nigerian Senate asked the federal government to collaborate with the Finnish government to extradite Mr Ekpa for prosecution.
Finnish government speaks on Ekpa’s repatriation
In February 2023, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had summoned The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over threat by Mr Ekpa to disrupt the country’s 2023 general elections.
Geoffrey Onyeama, the then Nigerian minister of foreign affairs, in a meeting with the Finnish ambassador, asked for the cooperation of the Finnish government to repatriate Mr Ekpa.
But Mrs Pylvanainen said although the Finnish government was concerned about the situation, there was a need to take Mr Ekpa’s rights into consideration given that he is a Finnish citizen.
“So, everything has to obviously be done according to Finnish legislation,” she stated.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has expressed his support for the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
Obi made his remarks during a visit to Alex Otti, the governor of Abia, at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA.
The former governor of Anambra stated that hunger and hopelessness among youths are the “sponsors” of the planned protest, urging Nigerian authorities to listen attentively to the protesters.
He cautioned against violence, emphasizing that such demonstrations should be conducted within the confines of the law.
“In the Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed,” Obi told Channels Television during his courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.
“All I plead is that those who are protesting do so within the law and in a civil manner, allowing us as a nation to demonstrate our commitment to legal principles.”
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the country, he said, “We all need to listen to what Nigerians are going through, and I thank our governor, Alex Otti, for doing so. It is crucial.”
For Obi, there is nothing wrong with people engaging in protest.
The LP chief contended that people protest even in his own home, though he did not specify who those people are or the nature of their protests.
He called on security agencies to provide protection for the protesters, urging them to operate within the bounds of the law.
“What I would say to security agencies is to manage the situation firmly but fairly, without being overbearing.
“There is nothing wrong with protesting. Protest is permitted everywhere globally. I also note that people protest in my home. It is essential for us to listen to those who are protesting.
“Why are they protesting? Engage with them; that is what governance is all about. You talk with them; there is nothing wrong in that,” he added.
A former spokesman of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Mr Kenneth Okonkwo has dumped the opposition party.
The Nollywood actor in a statement on Sunday, said he decided to excuse himself from LP after its former presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi failed to proffer a lasting solution to the party’s internal crisis.
According to him, Mr Peter Obi refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC of the party led by Barrister Julius Abure.
He also announced his separation from the former governor of Anambra State.
Below is the full statement:
Political Journey To A Great Nigeria
To my countrymen with love,
I write to update you on my political journey so far as follows:
1. I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments built around ethnicity, religion, sex, or circumstances of birth.
2. It’s obvious that the APC or PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria. Indeed their combined leadership is trying to cripple Nigeria as this blessed country is now down economically, politically, and in every other index, leaving the people with no other option than to protest for their survival. They can see no hope for the future.
3. Unfortunately, by our Constitution, we need a solid political party with a solid grassroots base to be able to wrestle power from these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. We, therefore, need a decisive leader who will be able to build such a party of integrity and character from the grassroots because eventually, the majority of the people that will populate a government will eventually proceed from the political party of the leader. A party is like a political tree that produces the fruit of the leadership cadre in government. A corrupt tree will never birth good fruits no matter the integrity and good intentions of the leader. Nigeria’s problems today come from a lack of internal democracy in the parties which become a breeding ground for the production of incompetent and corrupt leaders in government.
4. We also need a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such a leader because these corrupt and incompetent leaders are not willing to conduct free and fair elections and will always grab, snatch power from any weak and indecisive leader, and run away with it. Our judiciary has not proved to be equal to the task of preventing the emergence of electoral bandits who steal electoral victories at gunpoint in the public glare of everyone.
5. I am earnestly searching for such a leader who has the integrity and also the commensurate charisma and bravery to mobilise the people to sustain victory if Nigeria votes for such a person. The time for calm down is over.
6. I recall how we suffered and risked all to liberate Nigeria from the shackles of these kakistocrats and kleptocrats in 2023 only for the victory to be stolen. The judiciary will not give us democracy because of abuse of the judicial process. The people must take their destiny into their own hands. They must be willing to vote for the right person as the President and must be willing to fight to ensure that the person is sworn in as President. However, the person must be willing to be at the forefront of such an endeavour. The suffering Nigerians are going through now from the people they didn’t vote for, but who snatched power, cannot be allowed to continue. These people will still remain in power come 2027 unless a decisive leader emerges to stop them with the votes of the people.
7. What is happening in the Labour Party today has inspired in me a determination to chart a new course for my political journey. After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes for the Labour Party. I believe that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone would fall in line.
8. I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems. I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading nowhere politically? However, I continued in his defence believing he would still privately bring the needed solution to LP’s problems. to no avail.
9. PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, the PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired. Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of the lack of leadership from the PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about the PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself. I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.
10. I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP. The Labour Unions now have an unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from the PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.
11. I am of course in full support of the Labour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.
12. However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
13. It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At anytime I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined myself to his campaign, I made it public, now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know.
14. This has nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP. I will perpetually be joined to the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a new, better, and great Nigeria.
15. There’s also absolutely nothing personal with my decision to adjust my relationship with HE Peter Obi. It’s 100% based on principles and my conviction that I need a more decisive, bold, brave leader with integrity and team spirit who can confront these kakistocrats and kleptocrats head on. I will continue to respect him and cherish the periods we worked together.
16. With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like-minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to consolidation of Labour Party.
17. Nigeria must regain its greatness, whether the kakistocrats and kleptocrats like it or not. Protest is a democratic right of the people. Nobody should prevent the people from protesting, even as the protesters should endeavour to be peaceful. The government must deploy all its wisdom and exercise extreme restraint in the management of the protest of the people. The best method of avoiding protest is good governance. With bad governance, protest is inevitable.
A former spokesman for opposition Labour Party presidential campaign council Kenneth Okonkwo has severed his political ties with Peter Obi and also dumped his exit from the party.
Okonkwo said he decided to leave the party after its former presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election Peter Obi failed to solve the party’s internal crisis and have shown no capacity that he can defend the people’s mandate.
“I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” Okonkwo said in a statement he shared on his X account.
He added that with his new decision , he’s free to seek other alternatives and to “embark on negotiation and consultation with every like minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to consolidation of Labour Party.”
The statement reads in part;
However, the person must be willing to be in the forefront of such endeavour. The suffering Nigerians are going through now from the people they didn’t vote for, but who snatched power, cannot be allowed to continue. These people will still remain in power come 2027 unless a decisive leader emerges to stop them with the votes of the people.
What is happening in Labour Party today has inspired in me a determination to chart a new course for my political journey. After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes on Labour Party. I believed that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone will fall in line.
I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria problems. I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to no where politically? However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems. to no avail.
PO also publicly demanded that the Abure led National Working Committee must organise an all inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time has expired. Every member of Labour Party is confused today as to the future of Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself. I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.
I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP. The Labour Unions now have the unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.
I am of course in full support of the Labour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.
However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At anytime I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined myself to his campaign, I made it public, now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know.
This has nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP. I will perpetually be joined to the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a new, better, and great Nigeria.
There’s also absolutely nothing personal with my decision to adjust my relationship with HE Peter Obi. It’s 100% based on principles and my conviction that I need a more decisive, bold, brave leader with integrity and team spirit who can confront these kakistocrats and kleptocrats head on. I will continue to respect him and cherish the periods we worked together.
With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to consolidation of Labour Party.
Nigeria must regain its greatness, whether the kakistocrats and kleptocrats like it or not. Protest is a democratic right of the people. Nobody should prevent the people from protesting, even as the protesters should endeavour to be peaceful. The government must deploy all its wisdom and exercise extreme restraint in the management of the protest of the people. The best method of avoiding protest is good governance. With bad governance, protest is inevitable.
Nigerian Senator from Anambra South and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure, Ifeanyi Ubah, has passed away in London, UK.
Reports confirmed that Ubah died in a hotel, having arrived in the city just two days prior. The news was corroborated by a group chat of senators who have since begun sharing tributes.
Just days before his death, Ubah’s campaign council made a significant donation of N71 million to the APC in Anambra State, with N50 million coming directly from Senator Ubah. This contribution was part of his commitment to strengthening the party’s influence and operations in the region.
The senate has not yet released an official statement regarding his death.
The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as Callistus Okafor, a former Deputy National Chairman, has laid claim to the National Chairmanship position.
Mr. Okafor has announced his decision to “take over” the party, citing a 2018 consent judgment from the Federal High Court.
The politician made the declaration at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
Okafor explained that the court ruling, delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, resolved a leadership dispute between the late National Chairman, Abdulkadir Salam, and a rival faction led by Salisu Mohammed. The judgment declared that the separate national conventions held by both parties were “inclusive.”
Okafor argued that this ruling was ignored, allowing Julius Abure to inherit and build upon a flawed structure to become National Chairman.
As a member of the 2018 National Working Committee, Okafor claimed that he and others are beneficiaries of the court judgment.
He announced plans to hold an all-inclusive convention within six months to reconcile aggrieved members and unite the party.
He stated, “The owner of the house has taken the house. When I say owner, I am not contesting Labour Party leadership with the NLC, no.”
“I’m referring to the process—the midwifing of this process (fresh convention).
“The 2014 convention is the right avenue to guide this. For that reason, Callistus Okafor is now the acting chairman of the Labour Party.
“In light of these developments, members of the 2014 National Working Committee who are beneficiaries of the consent judgment have agreed to facilitate an all-inclusive and expansive convention in compliance with the consent judgment delivered by Hon. Justice G.O. Kolawole. Furthermore, they agree to embark on a purposeful reconciliation of all aggrieved members and groups within six months to achieve a united, focused Labour Party that will redefine political leadership in Nigeria’s quest for a better nation.”
This follows the announcement of a nationwide protest against bad governance. In a viral video posted on social media and obtained by our Reporter , Fayose criticized the mass departure of governors, senators, and other high-ranking officials. He claims their abrupt travel plans are a direct response to the impending demonstrations. “House of Representatives members, senators, governors, and ministers are all traveling abroad suddenly because of the protest,”
The protest, organized by angry Nigerian youths and activists, aims to address widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of governance in Nigeria. The movement has gained significant traction on social media, with many citizens voicing their support for the cause.
Fayose’s remarks have further fueled public frustration, as many Nigerians perceive the politicians’ actions as an attempt to evade accountability. The situation at the airport has reportedly been chaotic, with increased activity as officials hastily make their way out of the country. As the protest date approaches, tensions continue to rise, and the government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances of its citizens. The response from the political elite, as highlighted by Fayose, has only intensified the spotlight on the country’s leadership and their commitment to resolving Nigeria’s pressing issues.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is dead.
This was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Jide Iwuanyanwu, the son of the late Chief Emmanuel.
According to the statement, the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday after a brief illness.
“The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” the statement read.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged 82.
Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”
Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren.
The statement stated that the burial details will be announced later by the family after due consultations.
Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government has urged residents to protest peacefully and avoid any demonstration that could lead to a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS protest during which public properties were destroyed.
Salu-Hundeyin advised those intending to participate in the upcoming protests while speaking to journalists at the state secretariat in Alausa, Lagos on Tuesday, July 2024.
Recall that during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit terminal at Oyingbo and the state’s DNA and Forensic Laboratory on the Lagos Island were set ablaze.
However, due to the rising cost of living and food inflation in the country, some Nigerians are planning to stage another protest tagged “End Bad Governance in Nigeria.” The protest is expected to start from Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 10.
Speaking on the protest, Salu-Hundeyin affirmed citizens’ right to register their grievances with the government but advised against the destruction of public properties.
She said the Lagos State Government does not want any demonstrations that would tamper with facilities residents are currently enjoying in the state.
“This is the state that does not owe any pensioner a Kobo. If you retired today, you should be expecting your pension immediately. The Lagos State Government is doing so much,” she said.
Is it the Ilera Eko, the New Insurance Medical Schemes, the university we are building, the blue line rail, and others?
“It is a legitimate right for citizens to protest; there’s nothing wrong with it. The only thing people should worry about is that we do not want violence because the nascent peace we enjoy in Nigeria now and the development we are seeing, particularly in Lagos State, should not be truncated.
“We do not want anything to tamper with all that the state is currently enjoying. During the last protest (EndSARS), we saw the destruction that happened. They have a right, but their rights should not be for destruction.”
NLC denies involvement in looming protests
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has officially denied any involvement in the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.
In a statement personally signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union refuted claims of its participation in the protest.
He said while the NLC is not orchestrating the protest, it is fully aware of the severe economic conditions affecting Nigerians due to governmental policies.
