Occupy Nigeria Rally: Day 2, No Retreat, NO Surrender

Protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos this morning. PHOTO: IDOWU OGUNLEYE.

Protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos this morning. PHOTO: IDOWU OGUNLEYE.

The Occupy Nigeria rally entered day two today nationwide with thousands of demonstrators including two deputy president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Babi and Comrade Promise Adewusi leading the rally this morning in Lagos.

Protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos this morning. PHOTO: IDOWU OGUNLEYE.

The protesters took off from Yaba, Lagos State Secretariat of the NLC and marched through Iddo, Ebute Metta to Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, on Lagos Island.

Also in the ream were former ASUU president and chairman, Joint Action Front, JAF, Dr. Dipo Fashina, rights activists, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, Olasupo Ojo, Emmanuel Ajoku, a vice president of the NLC, Comrade Kazeem Alabi Labaika representing the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and more than 50 Nollywood stars.

The protesters ensured that every shop at the popular markets on Lagos Island remained shut and that erring traders were forced to close business in line with the indefinite nationwide strike action declared by the NLC.

The Occupy Nigeria group blocked the Lekki-Epe expressway today. The protesters did not allow motorists to pass through the busy route. Only soldiers and policemen on patrol were allowed access. Roads in Ikoyi and Victoria Island were deserted.

A violent clash was reported on Lagos Island when mobile policemen shot canisters of teargas on the protesters, causing stampede.

The security agents also shot sporadically to disperse protesters.

As at the time filing this report, no incident of killing or injury was reported.

When the demonstrators got to the TBS, the main entrance was under lock and key. They were not allowed in but labour leaders addressed them at the entrance of the TBS.

Chairman, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima advised the protesters not to be wary until their request was met.

The protests also took its toll on the aviation industry. Passengers who slept or came to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport overnight were stranded this morning as all flights were cancelled by air transport workers unions.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 and the General Aviation Terminal which handle domestic air travellers were shut.

Roads leading to the airport were empty. Security officers and union leaders were the only people who could be seen there.

Staff of Arik Air and Ethiopia airlines were turned back by the unions.

Virgin Atlantic which flew yesterday cancelled all its flights today and tendered an apology to the union leaders.

A meeting between the union leaders and the State Security Service held this morning to prevent lawlessness.

Children played at the departure halls as their parents slept by their sides.

Nigerians are no longer calling for the removal of fuel subsidy, but the sacking of President Goodluck Jonathan and his entire cabinet for plunging the country into this crisis and what they described as the misgovernance of the nation since he became president.

While some of the protesters marched to Lagos Island, others converged again on the late Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota blocking the entire area and vowing to remain there till their demands are met.

Speaking on their behalf by the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the protesters said they no longer want any committee set up by the government concerning the subsidy issue.

Bakare said it was time for Nigerians to call for the resignation of the President and the entire cabinet.

He reminded Nigerians of how they risked their lives to see that Jonathan was made the President during the days of the late Yar’Adua saga.

He also warned that Nigerians should not bring religious or political sentiments into the issue because, according him, God knows those who are really serving Him.

He thanked the protesters for making it peaceful so far even as he urged them to continue the battle without fear since power lies with the people.

“Sovereignty belongs to the people of every nation. It is the same people who sold their birthrights who are now complaining. Every government that lacks the capacity to care for the people does not deserve our votes.

“From this day forward, on behalf of the people of this country, we fire Jonathan. All your ministers are fired. We say no to corruption, oppression and wasting of our resources,” he said.

Listing names of heads of state, presidents that have been driven out from office, he said Jonathan has murdered sleep and would not sleep any more.

“In the morning, you would be migrained, in the evening, you would be migrained. Your supporters would be migrained.

“If you don’t leave quickly, what happened to Abacha would happen to you. If you don’t leave quickly, what happened to Yar’Adua would happen to you,” he said.

Related News

Also cursing Jonathan, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Frederick Fasheun, said the President would forever be disturbed since he does not want peace.

Musicians, actors and actresses were also present to register their support.

From Ogun State, P.M.NEWS correspondent reports that protesters, in their thousands, converged on the Ilaro Market square as early as 7 a.m. today to commence a demonstration that took them round many streets of Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Addressing them, Chairman, Ogun State NLC, Comrade Akeem Ambali told the protesters that there would be no retreat or surrender until there is a positive response from government.

Ambali consoled with the family of Abiodun Ademola, the youth who was allegedly shot dead by the DPO attached to Pen Cinema Police Division in Agege, yesterday.

The protesters were made up of students including the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, artisans, market men and women, TUC officials, activists including Secretary, Joint Action Forum, JAF, Femi Oshin.

The demonstrators, old and young, voluntarily trooped out from the nooks and crannies of the council areas in Yewa such as Ayetoro, Imoko and Ipokia.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the protesters might move to Sagamu and Remo areas tomorrow and on Thursday, they might converge on Ijebu division of the state.

In Kaduna State, over 60,000 demonstrators stormed the streets of Kaduna chanting anti-Jonathan songs this morning.

At about noon, chairman, Kaduna State branch of the NLC, Comrade Adamu Angu, addressed them.

He enjoined the protesters to stay away from the streets to avert bloodshed as security agents have threatened to unleash terror on the protesters should they continue their agitation beyond yesterday.

The protesters including the NLC, NBA members, civil society groups, were advised to return to their houses and remain indoors and continue the protest until they receive further directives from them.

P.M.NEWS learnt that the protesters allegedly threatened to destroy government facilities today. Security agents were reported to have held a meeting with Labour yesterday during which they warned protesters to steer clear of the streets or they might descend on the demonstrators.

The strike continued in Kano today with many people staying in their homes while shops and offices remained closed and the lull in economic activities continued.

No violent clash between security agents and protesters was recorded today as against the incident of yesterday when the demonstrators tried to forcefully gain access into Government House, Kano and they were dispersed by policemen.

In the stampede, one person was feared dead while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

Today, the protesters have therefore mellowed down and many have remained at home. The only few people on the streets of Kano were going about peacefully without any molestation.

The strike continued today in Enugu. Civil servants did not report in their offices. Only a few vehicles were plying the roads.

Shop owners and private business operators opened for business. Markets too were opened with a few people engaging in buying and selling.

In Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the strike continued as banks, schools, shops and markets remained closed today.

As was the case yesterday, economic and commercial activities were paralysed.

Many residents of Calabar remained indoors and only a few vehicles and people were on the streets.

In Taraba State, the strike was in full force this morning. There was total compliance with labour’s call for the shutting down of the country.

As at press time, banks, motor parks, shops, markets and all government offices were not opened.

Members of the organised labour led by the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Jonah Kataphs led the protesters around the Ministry of Works roundabout, Jalingo to the Liberation ground.

Addressing the protesters, Kataphs said the struggle must continue until the price of petrol is reversed to N65 a litre.

Chanting war songs, the protesters called on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign as they claimed he was no longer in control of affairs in the country.

After chanting labour solidarity songs for over an hour, Kataphs directed them to go back to their houses and re-group at 8 a.m. tomorrow for continuation of the protest.

By our correspondents

Load more