Anger swells as protests rock Oyo, Osun

From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan and Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Civil Societies Coalition (CSC), public workers and pensioners took to the streets in Osogbo, Osun State and Ibadan, Oyo State in protest against hardship occasioned by the hike in fuel prices, demanding an increase in their salaries and payment of long-overdue deductions.

In Ibadan, protesters, consisting of members from various labour unions, gathered at the State Secretariat, Agodi, demanding to meet with Governor Seyi Makinde, to address their concerns directly.

The workers voiced their frustration with their diminishing take-home pay, stating that it can no longer sustain them and their families. They also called for an upward review of allowances for retirees and the release of letters of promotion for the years 2021 and 2022.

The protesting workers and pensioners are members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and their affiliates.

The protesters barricaded the major entrance to the secretariat, sending a clear message that they would not back down until their demands were met. Many retirees, who have been stagnant since 2021, also pleaded for the prompt payment of their gratuities. Many workers could not enter the government secretariat, and a number of them returned to their houses. The protest also led to traffic logjam around Agodi and Bodija in Ibadan, yesterday.

In response to the protests, the Oyo State government called for a dialogue with the NLC, to address the issues raised by the workers. The government emphasised that only three months of salary deductions were owed, which is less than other states.

Commissioner of Information and Orientation in the state, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, highlighted the challenges faced by the state government in meeting salary obligations. He pointed out that despite the difficulties, the government has made efforts to improve workers’ welfare, including promotions and regular service conversions.

He highlighted the financial strain on the state, with monthly salaries amounting to N7.3 billion with a federal allocation of only N5 billion. The government, according to him, has been generating N2.8 billion as internal revenue, which, he said, is primarily being used to service salaries.

Oyelade stated further that despite the challenges, the state government has continued to invest in infrastructure projects, and started the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage three years ago, adding that over 2,000 civil servants have been promoted, while almost 1,000 others were converted to regular service.

“While it is the right and entitlement of our workers to access their wages, especially at this tough time, the government implores them to reflect on the sincerity of purpose of this administration,” he said.

Oyelade expressed confidence that the NLC would come to the negotiating table to find a realistic and balanced solution that considers both workers’ welfare and the economic realities of the state. He enjoined the workers to return to their duty posts.

The CSC protesters in Osun marched from Ayeitoro Junction to the Old Garage and ended at the popular Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, where they barricaded the road and obstructed vehicular movement for almost one hour.

The protest was tagged: “The poor are not breathing: protest rally against economic hardship, commercialisation of education, non-provision of palliatives, hike in electricity tariff, hike in fuel price and insecurity.”

The Chairman, Waheed Lawal, who led the protesters, lamented the hardship posed by the removal of fuel subsidies and warned that urgent steps must be taken to address the suffering.

“The current economic hardship has pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty; the middle class has fallen, the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer,” Lawal lamented.

Ayo Ologun said the people have rejected the fuel hike, electricity tariff hike, commercialisation of education, double taxes, and other harsh economic reforms. He said the government should let the poor breathe. One of the leaders of the protest, Emmanuel Olowu, dispelled the rumour that hoodlums would hijack the protest billed for today.