Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have commenced a nationwide industrial action over the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon his assumption of office on May 29, 2023.

The NLC mobilised protesters across the country, who were seen carrying placards with inscriptions like “Tinubu Listen to Nigerians not IMF, not World Bank, let the poor breath”

In Lagos, the protesters converged at the Ikeja under-bridge in Lagos, hence causing heavy traffic in the capital of the state.

Access24 reports that Last Wednesday, NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.

The union also called on civil society organizations (CSOs) and its councils across the states to join in the August 2 nationwide strike to protest the soaring cost of living in the country, but efforts by the federal government to halt the planned strike and protest failed.

Meanwhile in a strong warning issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday afternoon, he noted that there would be no room for violent protest.

While being mindful of the right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as ammended, IGP Egbetokun in a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi urged all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted in a peaceful manner to prevent being hijacked by miscreants, owing to the previous ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country.

The IGP, however, acknowledges the grievances raised by the Labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, as he ordered the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.