The statement noted further that the happenings in the country are unfortunate.
A coalition of civil society and pro-students’ organisations in Oyo State have thrown their weight behind the planned August 1-10 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
This was communicated in a press statement signed by the Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All workers’ convergence, Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), CSATF, NATA/ITESIWAJU OYO and PAM.
The groups noted at the meeting to discuss the looming protest against hunger and hardship that it agreed that a coalition to support the call for the nationwide protest against hardship and hunger should be formed.
The statement noted further that the happenings in the country are unfortunate.
While declaring total support for the protest against hardship, it also announced “an independent protest to commence the process of engaging every other Nigerians supporting the call for the protest with a view to building a broader base for the movement to end poverty and misery, especially bad governance occasioned by various anti-poor neo-liberal policies of the Nigeria capitalist government.”
They argued “that the prevailing condition of mass misery and poverty amidst abundant wealth largely occasioned by various anti-poor capitalist policies of the Nigerian government is more than enough and a sufficient justification for a call for the protest.”
While emphasising its plan to protest, it was also stated that the planned support in form of protest would be peaceful, warning persons or groups with intention for violence to stay off the peaceful action “as there will be no room for looting, destruction of property or any form of violence in our protest.”
They also clarified that the protest was not against religion, ethnicity or political party affiliations but to demand for a better Nigeria.
“The coalition hereby enjoins all Nigerian working people and youths who are fed up with the situation of the country, not to be intimidated by the scare antics of the regime. Rather they should join the protest and identify with every other activities organised by the coalition to support the protest.”
They also urged the government to ensure that the protest does not become violent while warning against any form of state provocation.
“As much as the coalition is committed to a peaceful protest, it holds that it is not the responsibility of the prospective protesters but that of the Nigerian government and the security agencies to assure the general public that the protest will not degenerate into violence.”
“The few previous violent-turn of peaceful protest were instigated by the Nigerian government either through the security agencies or hired political thugs to create a basis and justification for state repression. The obvious lack of serious commitment on the side of the Nigerian government and its security agencies to end the increasing scale of violence, kidnapping and killing of citizens bedeviling the country today shows that all of the propaganda around a possible violence-turn of the looming protest is just an attempt to criminalize the protest.”
“The coalition warns against any form of state repression and provocation but urges all relevant security apparatus in the state for an adequate security coverage and support. Given the fact that the call for the protest was not initiated by the coalition, we note the possibility that other groups who are not members of the coalition may also be planning to organize actions across the state. It is in the light of this, we will like to state that the convergence and take-off point for the coalition planned action on the 1st of August, 2024 shall be the frontage of University of Ibadan, UI gate by 7am”
The coalition also made demands such as immediate reversal of all of “the anti-poor policies specifically the pump price of petrol to N197”
“Immediate repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products”
Other demands included the immediate reversal of the decision to hike the electricity Traff , renationalisation of the power sector under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people and the placement of political office holders on salary and allowance earned by the civil servants.
Others are; allowing members of the Nigerian police belong to a trade union, Free education at all levels including reversal of current regime of fee hike across the Nigeria public tertiary institutions.
A national minimum living wage was also demanded while the National Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) was mandated to convene a joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a 48-hour nationwide strike and street protest to support the hunger protest.
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