As the nationwide strike action called by organised labour and its civil society allies against the removal of fuel subsidy enters its second day, commercial activities remained grounded across most states of the federation. Here’s the situation report from various states.
You may also send us reports on what’s happening in your area. Send your articles and photographs to editoronline@leadership.ng.
Lagos
By George Okojie
As the nationwide strike called by organized labour and civil societies entered day two, protesters comprising of members of professional bodies , musicians and array of prominent personalities again stormed the streets of Lagos, urging president Goodluck Jonathan to reverse the decision to remove fuel subsidy.
The protesters who converged at the Gani Fawehimi park in Ojota area of the state unanimously demanded that the price of petrol be reverted to N65, saying the policy of fuel subsidy removal has made life miserable for the masses.
The convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare said the leadership of the country has failed to realized that power really reside with the people, pointing out that the present struggle embarked upon by Nigerians would right so many wrongs in the country.
Bakare who served President Goodluck? Jonathan and his ministers quit notice said they have been fired by the same people that voted them into power.
Ganiyat Fawehimi , the widow of the late legal icon Gani Fawehimi who took her turn to speak lamented that Nigerians were suffering in the midst of plenty , noting that the natural resources freely given to the citizenry has been mismanaged by the government and successive leaders of the country.
She appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful, noting that her late husband never supported violent struggles while he was alive.
Kaduna
By Midat Joseph
Protest over the removal of fuel subsidy has taken another dimension in Kaduna with the protesting youths hurling stones at the Police and the Army who refused them entrance to Government House.
The combined security operatives dispersed the protesters with teargas.
Protesting youths who storm major streets in the State metropolis at about 10 am pulled down all PDP billboards and that of Jonathan/Sambo including that of Governor Yakowa.
Meanwhile thousands of youths and some hoodlums including almajiris and children took over the Ali Akilu Road down to Ahmadu Bello Way and Leventis Roundabout near the central market in continuation of the protest against subsidy removal.
It was an unprecedented crowd and some of them were riding and driving dangerously in cars and motorbikes.
LEADERSHIP gathered from a reliable source that if the situation continues uncontrolled, the state government may impose curfew to forestall any break down of law and order
Enugu
By ?Nnamdi Mbawike
Despite ongoing demonstrations in different parts of the country over the removal of fuel subsidy, Enugu State has maintained calm following the continued refusal of the leadership of the Enugu State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilize workers for protest.
Although a top official of NLC claimed that the inability of workers to protest in Enugu was informed by the heavy presence of security operatives and? a prohibition order on? public precessions, meetings and assemblies in the state made by Governor Sullivan Chime, workers have continued to insist that the Chukwumaife-led executive of the NLC in? the state had compromised.
The workers are divided on the ongoing strike action declared by the Organized Labour as many of them were sighted in their offices at the state Secretariat on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, police has continued to barricade strategic areas and offices in the state including in the secretariat of the NLC.
Ogun
By Abiodun Taiwo
Commercial and vehicular activities in Abeokuta remained grounded as the protesters continued to show their disapproval at the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.
Tuesday’s protest which was very peaceful saw the protesters moving round the town chanting anti Jonathan slogan.
All markets, shops, filling stations and schools both private and public in the town were under lock and key. Government hospitals were also shut as few doctors and nurses were seen attending to emergency cases.
Abuja
By Moses John
Thousands of protesters on Tuesday, converge at the? roundabout for Day 2 of the nationwide strike and protest declared by NLC and TUC over removal of fuel subsidy.
NLC president, Abdulwaheed Omar who addressed the protesters shortly before taken off charged them to be law abiding and conduct themselves in a civil manner.
He urged them not to give the police a chance to brutalise them as that could defeat the purpose of the mass action.
Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read: “President Jonathan, is this your type of fresh air?”, “Leave fuel subsidy,? face Boko Haram”, “Ebele, Nigerians have spoken, listen”, “Jonathan, respect fundamental human right,” among others.
Also speaking, a Niger Delta youth leader accused President Jonathan of negligence. He said when President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was alive, he made peace with Niger Delta militants but that President Jonathan has refused to make peace with northerners.
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Niger State
By Abu Nmodu
Day two of the strike in Niger State saw businesses under lock and key even as Niger State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Maishanu promised to crack down on hoodlums who step out of line.
He said the police would have no option than to clampdown on any protester who resorts to molesting innocent citizens and destroying public properties.
Major roads in the state were deserted.
Kano State
By Salisu Ibrahim
The NLC has directed that residents sit at home to commiserate with the families of victims killed in Monday's strike.
Government offices, banks, markets and stalls remained closed on the second day of the strike action.
There was heavy security presence around Kano Government House with all roads leading to government house closed to motorists.
Immigration officers, local Hisbah security, vigilante group and members of the NSCDC were on ground to tighten security.
Security operatives hovered around in helicopters, mounting aerial surveillance.
Cross River State
By Edem Edem
In Calabar, traders, filling station operators, some banks as well as other businessmen and women defied the NLC/TUC order to stay at home, as they continue doing their businesses without observing the strike.
Although businesses went on smoothly, the atmosphere was peaceful until labour leaders swooped on traders at Etim Edem motor park and market, dispersing the traders and business men.
Efforts by the two congresses to persuade people to join them proofed abortive as people including civil and public servants stayed at home and refused to participate in the demonstration.
At the time of filing this report, a combined team of NLC and TUC were seen driving around town and trying to enforce the strike action.
They were specifically seen at Zenith Bank and other banks, threatening the operators of these banks and business owners to close their shops. Sadly, efforts to stop commercial vehicle operators from working yielded no positive results as some of the drivers were seen carrying and dropping passengers at various destinations.
Rivers State
By Anayo Onukwugha
Protesting members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday, disagreed with the palliative measures put in place by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to cushion the effects of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
The shout of No! No!! No!!!, rented the air when Amaechi told the workers, who stormed Government House, Port Harcourt as part of their peaceful protest that he had met with independent petroleum products marketers and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to find ways of reducing the transport fares that have increased by 100 %.
He said government had reached a deal with independent marketers to reduce the pump price of petrol from N141.00 to N137.00 per litre.
Earlier, state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Chris Oruge said they were at Government House to express their feeling on the recent withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
Bayelsa State
By Osa Okhomina
The ranks of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Organised Civil Society group led by the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) in Bayelsa State yesterday came under serious threat from persons identified as supporters of the President Goodluck Jonathan in the region including ex-militant leaders and Politicians.
But the NLC, led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyan and the Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Yekorogha, moved out into the streets of the State capital to ensure compliance with the nationwide strike action called against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Some members of the Civil Liberty Organisations that some officials of the Federal Government and Ex-militant Leaders from the Niger Delta were issuing subtle threat against them for embarking on a failed Protest march in the state capital and warned them not to allow the unnamed cabal against the Goodluck Jonathan administration to use them.