Prominent Human Rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana on Wednesday joined members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who took to the streets of Ikeja, Lagos to protest the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
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Thousands of protesters gathered at the iconic Ikeja under-bridge early in the morning before marching toward the state House of Assembly.
The demonstration comes in response to the federal government’s decision to end the long-standing fuel subsidy regime which has triggered a significant increase in fuel prices, transportation costs and a surge in inflation across various sectors.
NLC, joined by civil society organisations (CSOs), had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government last week, demanding the reversal of what they described as “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.
The protest resulted in a massive gridlock in the area, with protesters displaying placards and chanting slogans denouncing the subsidy removal and expressing their grievances against the rising cost of living.
The demonstrators demanded immediate action from the government to address the impact of the subsidy removal on ordinary citizens, who are already grappling with economic challenges.
Falana urged the legislative body to prioritize the welfare of the citizens and reconsider their decision over the controversial N70b renovation project of the Assembly Complex in the face of widespread public discontent.
While addressing the protesters, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said “We have heard you, and the letter has been given to us.”
His statement implied that the concerns raised by the protesters had been acknowledged and would be taken into consideration by relevant authorities.
The protest remains peaceful and resolute as the NLC and other participating groups continue their march toward the state House of Assembly.
With demonstrations taking place across the country, the pressure on the federal government to address the subsidy removal issue and its consequences on the Nigerian population continues to mount.
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