Former Kwara NLC Chairman Ayeoribe Chides Gov AbdulRazaq For Stalling Protest
Former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara state, Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe has criticised the state government for not allowing youths and other stakeholders to protest over the hardship of hunger inflicted on the masses by the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he assumed office last year.
The former labour leader who faulted what he described as the antidemocratic postures of the state government, urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to allow the masses in the state to breathe and freely express themselves before it’s too late.
Ayeoribe speaking with journalists on Sunday said that the protesters had already gathered and were ready to take off around the Ministry of Works area along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin on August 1, when someone drew attention to the court injunction that the protest should be restricted to Cosmopolitan square along Asa Dam road, Ilorin.
According to him,”Restricting protest to Cosmopolitan square is no more protest, and it stands condemned. People have the right to protest anywhere,, and they shouldn’t be stifled in doing that.
“It’s condemnable that a governor that was democratically elected by the masses would use the resources the same masses put in his custody against their interests.
“The government ought to rightly ensure adequate provision of security to those who wish to protest, that’s all.” the former labour leader said.
Ayeoribe nevertheless cautioned the governor against what he described as his antidemocratic tendencies when masses are wallowing deeper in abject poverty every day due to the poor economic policies of the government.
“Where are the leaders of yesterday? Many had the opportunity to rethink at a time like this while in office, but they didn’t do the right thing because of the power of office. Today, they are regretting their actions because it’s too late. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq should not delude himself that he’s on the side of the masses. It’s better to change to the side of the masses and let the masses breathe before it’s too late.”
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