By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Jan. 25, 2022 The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, on Tuesday suspended its protest fixed for Jan. 27 over the Federal Government’s plan to remove subsidy and increase fuel price.
Mr Mike Olanrewaju, NLC National Officer, announced the suspension while briefing journalists on the outcome of the labour leaders’ meeting in Ibadan.
Olanrewaju said that the rally was suspended in the interest of the masses and to avoid further compounding the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organised labour had in December fixed Jan. 27 and mobilised Nigerians for a nationwide protest against plans to remove subsidy in fuel.
The Federal Government had on Monday through the Minister of Finance announced a reversal of its plan to remove subsidy.
Olanrewaju said: “The labour movement decided to suspend the protest.
“So far, the issue of subsidy which is the major point of focus has been addressed to the satisfaction of labour.”
He said that the Federal Government had agreed to the demand of the organised labour that there should be no removal of subsidy.
“The Federal Government has acceded to the demand of labour that there should be no removal of subsidy. They have accepted and reversed it.
“So, the labour unions have equally decided to suspend the protest which should have taken Nigerians to the streets,” he said.
Also, Mr Kayode Martins, the state NLC Chairman, appreciated the traders, artisans and many others who have declared their readiness to be on the streets for the protest.
“If peradventure the government comes up with anything contrary to their decision, we will be on the streets immediately.
“In as much as the directive has come from the national secretariat that everything be put on hold, from NLC office here, everything is suspended for now,” Martins said.